Around The Diamond: 2011 Atlanta Braves Preview

When you talk about the 2011 Atlanta Braves two things come to mind right away Bobby Cox and Chipper Jones. This will be the first time in a long time the Braves will be led by someone besides Bobby Cox. The Braves have hired Fredi Gonzalez to take over for Bobby Cox. Getting Chipper Jones back is also something many people will be watching very closely. The Braves have lost quite a feel people from last years team.

Manager Bobby Cox (Retired)
RP Billy Wagner (Retired)
RP Takashi Saito (Released)
RP Michael Dunn (Traded)
RP Kyle Farnsworth (Released)
OF Matt Diaz (Released)
OF Melky Cabrera (Released)
OF Rick Ankiel (Released)
1B Derrek Lee (Released)
1B Troy Glaus (Released)
UT Omar Infante (Traded)

That is a lot of players for the Braves to lose and the list additions is much shorter and nothing really earth shattering either.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez
2B Dan Uggla (Trade)
RP Scott Linebrink (Trade)
RP George Sherrill (Free Agent)
RP Anthony Varvaro (Waivers)
OF Joe Mather (Waivers)

Picking up Dan Uggla was a good move as he is a player that I really like and the Braves had an issue at second base last season. The starting pitching for the Braves have been in the past their strong suit and they have a nice rotation for this coming season as well. Tim Hudson,Tommy Hanson, and Derek Lowe are three good ones to build around for the Braves. The bullpen was good last season, but will take a hit in 2011. Gone are Billy Wagner, and the departure of Takashi Saito will hurt them.

The projected lineup below is what the Braves will probably go with barring and injuries or setbacks in spring training. I like their starting lineup and if Chipper Jones can stay healthy they should be fine. I think for the Braves it will come down to their pitching and how well the bullpen performs. Do not count this team out as they have enough talent to contend.

CF Nate McLouth
LF Martin Prado
3B Chipper Jones
2B Dan Uggla
C Brian McCann
RF Jason Heyward
SS Alex Gonzalez
1B Freddie Freeman

Chalk Talk: Atlanta Braves 2010 Preview

In this installment of Chalk Talk we will take a look at the 2010 Atlanta Braves. The Atlanta Braves had made 14 straight playoff appearances until last year where they fell a little short. This year will be Bobby Cox last year as manager of the Braves as he is retiring. The Braves are looking to bounce back and it starts with there offense. The Braves need a healthy Troy Glaus and adding Melky Cabrera should help them as well. Chipper Jones is still a good player who brings it every day. The offense will score runs, but must stay healthy all season long. Losing anyone in this lineup can really hurt the Braves.

Projected lineup

1. CF Nate McLouth
2. 2B Martin Prado
3. 3B Chipper Jones
4. 1B Troy Glaus
5. C Brian McCann
6. SS Yunel Escobar
7. LF Matt Diaz
8. RF Melky Cabrera

Pitching is something the Atlanta braves always seemed to have plenty of through the years. The Braves have one of the better pitching staffs and need all to perform at a high level this coming year. Adding Billy Wagner in the bullpen should help them as well. If Derek Lowe can bounce back this staff should keep the Braves in contention all season long.

1. RHP Tim Hudson
2. RHP Derek Lowe
3. RHP Jair Jurrjens
4. RHP Tommy Hanson
5. RHP Kenshin Kawakami

Projected closer

LHP Billy Wagner: 26 K's in 15 2/3 IP after return.

Ben Sheets Gives Great Effort For Brewers

Ben Sheets showed the Atlanta Braves and everyone else why he is considered one of the better pitchers in baseball. Sheets tossed a four-hitter as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Atlanta Braves by a score of 4-1. Sheets retired the last 16 batters he faced and got his third complete game of the season in the process.

Mike Cameron hit a two-run homer to help back Sheets pitching in the win. Sheets now stands 9-1 and has a chance to be a 20 game winner this year. The Brewers have a young talented ball club and could be one team down the road that teams are going to have to deal with. I guess only time will tell.