Morning Chop: Braves News 4/9
By Jeff Schafer
Apr 8, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Justin Upton (8) connects for a bast hit in the first inning against the Miami Marlins during on opening night at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Upton homers, 4 for 4 as Braves blank Marlins
"Justin Upton is hitting enough for an entire team.The slugging outfielder went 4 for 4, including his sixth home run, and Paul Maholm allowed one hit in seven innings to help the Atlanta Braves spoil the Miami Marlins’ home opener Monday night by winning 2-0.Upton scored both runs and doubled the Marlins’ hit total. The Braves won despite going 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.“We’ve only got about three guys hitting on all cylinders,” Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “We won today with Justin doing all the damage.”"
Paul Maholm, Atlanta Braves Could Have Postseason Disadvantage
"As a group, the five-man rotation of Tim Hudson, Kris Medlen, Maholm, Mike Minor, and rookie phenom Julio Teheran rank up there with the best in the game. Though the team doesn’t have a dominant ace like Clayton Kershaw or Justin Verlander, they are still very good from one through five. And that’s the very reason why the one-game playoff instituted by MLB last season is a horrible idea.The Braves have a rotation that is built to win a series, and that’s how the game of baseball is played for the entire sixth-month season. The one-game playoff, although very exciting, rewards teams with a dominant top-of-the-line starter rather than a consistent staff, which is a necessity for 162 games. A team like Atlanta, with an all-around strong rotation, is at a disadvantage in such a format. Look no further than last season, when they were ousted from postseason play having never been able to send Hudson, Minor, or Tommy Hanson to the mound.So I guess the answer then is to win the division; and that’s something that is well within the Braves’ reach—especially after the way opening week has played out."
9 Lessons From Baseball’s First Week
"Chris Davis‘s breakout was for realRoy Halladay might actually be done……But Chase Utley isn’tThe Red Sox are better than we thoughtThe Yankees are just as bad (and maybe worse) than we fearedBryce Harper, not Mike Trout, is poised to become the best player in baseballTexas does not like Josh HamiltonA healthy Mike Morse is a force to be reckoned withJustin Upton is a legit MVP candidate, his disappointing 2012 notwithstanding"
The Baseball Big Brother Project
30 Players, 30 Teams – Atlanta Braves
Apr 8, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) throws in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins during on opening night at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Braves – Craig Kimbrel – Closer
"Acquired: Draft – 3rd Round (96th overall) 2008 Amateur DraftSigned Through: 2016 (Pre-Arbitration Eligible)MLB Debut: June 6, 2008Kimbrel is the rare closer that when he comes into the game, most offenses feel like they are done. Last season, Kimbrel authored a closer’s season for the ages, posting a 3-1 record with a 1.01 ERA, a 3.2 bWAR, and an astronimical 16.7 K/9 ratio. He converted 42 of 45 save opportunities. Kimbrel surrendered just 7 total runs in 63 appearances.…The Braves will once again look to their 24-year-old anchor to provide stability and leadership to the back-end of their bullpen. With a revamped line-up that included bothJustin Upton and B.J. Upton, Kimbrel will see plenty of save opportunities in the years to come.And the man with the triple-digit gas will be more than happy to convert them."
Atlanta Braves Minor League Action
"Gwinnett Braves 1, Durham Bulls 2Todd Cunningham CF 2-4, SB (1), .235 AVGMatt Pagnozzi C 1-3, BB, .250 AVGOmar Poveda 6 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 0.00 ERAYohan Flande 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 2.25 ERAOmar Poveda’s first start in a Braves uniform was a great one, as he tossed 6 shutout innings, striking out 4. The 25 year old righty split last year between AA and AAA for the Marlins. Todd Cunningham followed up yesterday’s 2 hit performance with another 2 hit day.Sean Gilmartin will face the Bulls Tuesday night, with Alex Torres scheduled to throw against him."