Are the Mavs still alive or only dreaming?
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Braves Bullpen
With Jonny Venters (elbow) going to see Dr. James Andrews this week, I thought I'd give a rundown of how I believe the bullpen would be best used. Let's hope Venters' injury is nothing significant.
High-leverage situations:
- Kimbrel
- (Venters)
- O'Flaherty
- Walden
- Avilan
Low-leverage situations:
- Varvaro
- Gearrin
- Martinez
For situational match-ups, other than Kimbrel, Venters, and O'Flaherty, as they're considered the aces and get most of the eight and ninth innings no matter who's up to bat. You'll see some repeat names below since I'm confident some of these other guys can get both lefties and righties out.
Vs. RHB
- Walden
- Avilan
- Martinez
- Gearrin
Vs. LHB
- Walden
- Avilan
- Martinez
I'm feeling good about our pen, but I'd feel much better with a healthy Jonny Venters. Anyone would.
High-leverage situations:
- Kimbrel
- (Venters)
- O'Flaherty
- Walden
- Avilan
Low-leverage situations:
- Varvaro
- Gearrin
- Martinez
For situational match-ups, other than Kimbrel, Venters, and O'Flaherty, as they're considered the aces and get most of the eight and ninth innings no matter who's up to bat. You'll see some repeat names below since I'm confident some of these other guys can get both lefties and righties out.
Vs. RHB
- Walden
- Avilan
- Martinez
- Gearrin
Vs. LHB
- Walden
- Avilan
- Martinez
I'm feeling good about our pen, but I'd feel much better with a healthy Jonny Venters. Anyone would.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Braves Lineup - Opening Day 2013
According to MLB.com, the Braves projected starting lineup and batting order for opening day 2013 is as follows:
1. Andrelton Simmons - SS
2. Jason Heyward - RF
3. Justin Upton - CF
4. Freddie Freeman - 1B
5. B.J. Upton - CF
6. Dan Uggla - 2B
7. Chris Johnson - 3B
8. Gerald Laird - C
9. Tim Hudson - P
I like this lineup, but here's what I'm thinking:
- At this point, I'd rather see B.J. Upton or Dan Uggla in the lead-off spot. This Upton has a history of being a good lead-off hitter on championship caliber teams, and Uggla has a career .343 OBP. All those walks and strikeouts may fit better at the top of the order than bottom. However, I'm willing to give Simmons, with his career MiLB OBP of .352, a shot. I'd love to see him show he can play at the level he did last year for an extended period of time.
- I wonder if Juan Francisco will ever get a shot to develop into a full-time player. It seems like it'll be a platoon with Johnson for now.
- I loved having Prado out there, but I like the talent this team has. This may be the best all-around team the Braves have had since the early 2000's.
1. Andrelton Simmons - SS
2. Jason Heyward - RF
3. Justin Upton - CF
4. Freddie Freeman - 1B
5. B.J. Upton - CF
6. Dan Uggla - 2B
7. Chris Johnson - 3B
8. Gerald Laird - C
9. Tim Hudson - P
I like this lineup, but here's what I'm thinking:
- At this point, I'd rather see B.J. Upton or Dan Uggla in the lead-off spot. This Upton has a history of being a good lead-off hitter on championship caliber teams, and Uggla has a career .343 OBP. All those walks and strikeouts may fit better at the top of the order than bottom. However, I'm willing to give Simmons, with his career MiLB OBP of .352, a shot. I'd love to see him show he can play at the level he did last year for an extended period of time.
- I wonder if Juan Francisco will ever get a shot to develop into a full-time player. It seems like it'll be a platoon with Johnson for now.
- I loved having Prado out there, but I like the talent this team has. This may be the best all-around team the Braves have had since the early 2000's.
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