14 Straight

(the Braves starting will be key in the Dodger's series)

It has been crazy the past few games. You have solid pitching and poor hitting, good starting and hitting but poor bullpen work, and great hitting and horrible pitching. Other than the Mets series, last night was really the first time the Braves put it all together. Lots of power, terrific start from Smoltz, and even a good showing from the 'pen. Can we keep it up, or will the Braves revert to being a team that can only master one phase per game? We will see. This is a series of uptmost importance coming up. I hate to say it so early, but if we can't get something going soon, the Braves season could be in danger. Jeff Bennet will be starting the series opener, and if he could give 6 innings that would be a boost. Smoltz only pitched 5 last night, but innings 6-9 were low stress innings, so I'm not too worried about it. Mark Teixeira, while cold, appeared to bust ou of his slump to one extent or another last night, and if he gets hot the 3-6 of Chipper, Tex, Francoeur, and McCann will be almost impossible to pitch against.

(the bullpen may have to pitch 2+ innings in each game vs the Dodgers)

I say I'll try to post more often on here, and what do I do? I go 6 days without an entry. Well, what's happened lately? Schafer got busted for HGH, the Braves are this close to being swept by the Rockies, and Rafael Soriano went on the DL. Good week, huh? I've been going back and forth with some people on here, not really about Schafer, but about HGH in general. There is a very good chance that HGH doesn't work, and while that makes Schafer even more of an idiot, it also means his talent is most likely genuine. While the Braves haven't had many players that are supected of juicing on their roster, one incident is not enough to condem Schafer to a career of trying to shake off a HGH induced shadow. As long as he handles this well, and is 100% clean, he can still be a star. The Braves' play vs the Rockies has been horrible. If we could play the outfield, we would've at least won a game out of the 3 we've played. Soriano is down with elbow tendinitis. This makes a already average 'pen a HUGE issue. We'll see if Moylan, Acosta, and Boyer are up to the task that confronts them.

I have more than my share of dislike for the Mets, but this quote is great.

"When I face him, I'll do what I always do -- watch the ball as long as I can, close my eyes and swing," Pelfrey said. "I think that will work with him. He probably knows all my strengths and weaknesses. Mostly my weaknesses. I've kept my strengths a secret."

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

I haven't been posting much lately. I've been keeping track of my fantasy teams instead. I will attempt to post more often. Perhaps I will throw my team out there?