Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 5/16/14
Braves’ beat writer Mark Bowman shares his thoughts about how, while the Atlanta Braves are still in first place, there’s plenty of work to be done if they want to maintain that position. Read what Mark has to say..
Braves are in first, but offense needs plenty of work
Club has struggled to score runs while also striking out too much
"ATLANTA — With essentially a quarter of the season complete, the Braves find themselves in the midst of a frustration-filled journey that has taken them where they want to be — atop the National League East standings — via a route that the most advanced GPS system likely would not have detected.As this season’s second quarter approaches, the Braves have reason to feel good about the sustainability of their once-suspect and now-healthier starting rotation that has produced a Major League-best 2.64 ERA. But there are definite concerns about their potentially potent offense that has averaged just 3.23 runs per game — a mark that bests only the Padres in the 15-team NL."
Ben Duronio of Talking Chop takes a look at the upcoming series, beginning tonight, that pits the Atlanta Braves against the St. Louis Cardinals. Read what Ben has to say…
Series Preview: Braves at Cardinals
"The Cardinals are in second place and five games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, and a team with a history of success like St. Louis has is certainly better than a 21-20 record. They played a part in the Braves recent struggles as they took two of three in Atlanta the last time I covered a series. Hopefully I have better luck this time.Luckily, the Braves will avoid both Adam Wainwright and Michael Wacha. That is as good as news can get when you are lined up to face the Cardinals. They will face Lance Lynn, Shelby Miller, and Jaime Garcia, who is just returning from the disabled list."
Joe Morgan of MLB takes a look at the matchup beginning tonight against Atlanta and St. Louis, and specifically the matchup between the Cardinals Lance Lynn, and Atlanta’s always hot Ervin Santana.
Cardinals looking to douse Braves’ offense
Lynn hoping to extend St. Louis rotation’s dominance over Atlanta
"The last time the Braves played the Cardinals, manager Fredi Gonzalez was desperate to shake things up offensively. Atlanta had lost five straight games, scoring only 10 runs during that span.The Braves elected to bat the pitcher eighth on May 5 when St. Louis came to Turner Field, and they did so in every game since then until Wednesday. Atlanta’s offense continued to drag for the next few games before finally coming to life Sunday against the Cubs."
Yahoo picked up the AP story from Ronald Blum concerning the committee to pick MLB Commissioner Bud Selig’s successor. Though not specifically Atlanta Braves’ related, whoever the next commissioner is affects not only the Braves, but every other team in major league baseball. Read Ronald’s thoughts…
Cards’ DeWitt leads panel for Selig’s successor
"NEW YORK (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. will lead the committee to find a successor to baseball Commissioner Bud Selig.Chicago White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf also is on the seven-member panel announced Thursday, which includes Colorado chairman Dick Monfort, Philadelphia president Dave Montgomery, Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno, Pittsburgh chairman Bob Nutting and Minnesota chief executive officer Jim Pohlad."