Horacio Ramirez seems to be in the “no support” slot in the rotation, at least by the early returns. He gave the Braves a quality start, seven strong innings allowing two runs (though with his usual awful peripherals — six hits, one strikeout, four walks) but there was no offense to pick him up. Ramirez has thrown fourteen innings this year, allowing two runs, and is 0-1. Returning to his expected level, Base12 then allowed two runs in 2/3 of an inning to put things out of reach.
The Braves couldn’t do much of anything off Al Leiter, and even less off the Mets’ bullpen. They totalled four hits and four walks, and leave New York on a 15-inning scoreless streak. Chipper returned to the lineup but was 0-4. The Braves had one realistic chance for a big inning, loading the bases off Leiter and Dave Weathers with one out in the sixth, but Julio grounded a 3-2 pitch hard into a DP.
The Braves now return to Atlanta to face the buzzsaw Marlins, who are 8-1 and already three games up on the Mets, four on the Braves. Jaret Wright will pitch in the opener even though Ortiz is on full rest, so I guess the 4 1/2 man rotation is dead for now. Given their early starts, it’s not such a bad thing.
I know, I know, it’s only April, but the potential for…
—W–L-GB
Marlins 11 1 0
Braves 04 8 7
… makes this weekend’s series important
I agree, this series is big. For some reason, I like the make up of the Braves this year except for the gaping hole at third. However I don’t like the idea of chasing down the Marlins from 7 or 8 back.
Every year that the Yankees get off to a slow start, I’m screaming at the Red Sox to go on a tear and they never do. The Yanks will be 16-14 and the Sox will have at best a 3 game lead. By definition, the inevitable always happens. Sox stay home, Yankees in the series.
The Braves have enough to get to the postseason again, but falling down 7 early would not be good.
With Beckett and Penny pitching this weekend, it seems pretty important that we rough up Darren Oliver tonight.
We can only hope the Expos have lulled the Fish into some sort of trance. Back to back hits may confuse and disorient them long enough for us to gain some ground in the standings.
All the games last year were battles, so I’m looking forward to some good baseball — at least something better than having to listen to Buck/McCarver.