Bad news: Evan Gattis is on the DL with an oblique strain. Tyler Pastornicky, hitting .309 with a .780 OPS, gets the call from Gwinnett.
As for today, getting one game in will be a challenge. Good thing the Bravos are 7-1/2 ahead of the Nats.
Game 1 line-up:
Schafer 8, RJohnson 7, Heyward 9, Freeman 3, CJohnson 5, Laird 2, Uggla 4, Simmons 6, Wood 1
As we watched the game last night it occurred to CD and myself that these Mets are the late 70s Braves — a hopeless assemblage of scrubs.
Ruben Tejada? Pepe Frias reincarnate. Lucas Duda? Brian Asselstine says hello. Dillon Gee, meet Tony Brizzolara. And on it goes.
I almost feel sorry for the Mets.
The Bravos have shown no pity, and that’s what what good teams do — beat up the bad ones. But when the quality of the opponent improves, I fear the bullpen will be exposed.
Until then, enjoy. Quoting H.I. McDunnough, these are the salad days.
Game 1 resumes at 6 p.m. on SportSouth, with Joe Simpson joining Keith Hernandez on the telecast. Then, it’s over to Big Fox for Game 2.
It’s obvious the Bravos need bullpen reinforcements, and quickly. Jordan Walden should be back this week, so that’ll help. When Brandon Beachy, currently on a rehab assignment, is ready I suspect you’ll see him pitch in relief, where he could emerge as real weapon down the stretch.
But can the Braves afford to wait that long?
Might not be bad idea to call Seattle, which has three lefties in the ‘pen and is desperate for a bat.
Charlie Furbush was outstanding in 2012, striking out 53 in 46 IP with a WHIP under 1.00. The ex-Tiger has struggled with his command this season, walking 10 in 18-1/3, but he also has 27 K’s. Furbush is still two years away from arbitration, so I assume the M’s would be reluctant to deal him.
Oliver Perez (one in the same), a free agent at season’s end, is a more realistic option. After spending two years out of the majors, Perez resurfaced late last season with Seattle, and in 51 relief appearances for the M’s he’s averaging better than a strikeout per inning with a 1.93 ERA. This year he’s held left-handed batters to four singles in 29 AB’s, striking out 12. Right-handers haven’t fared much better against the former Met.
Some consistency would be nice, and the Mets should provide a punching bag for the Bravos.
But Marcum has pitched well against the Braves, Niese is solid and God knows how many hitters Matt Harvey strikes out on Sunday. (Even money on Uggla recording a golden sombrero.)
Sit on it, Philly!
Mets fans should be thrilled by the proposed R.A. Dickey to Toronto trade. New York will reportedly receive two former first round draft picks: catcher Travis d’Arnaud (.286 BA and .816 OPS in the minors) and pitcher Noah Snydergaard (13-8, 2.35 ERA, 1.085 WHIP) – an impressive haul for a 38-year-old pitcher.
New York also kept its franchise player, David Wright, for $138 million over 8 years. It’s a risky deal, as Wright will be 37 when his contract expires, but considering some of the deals handed out this winter it’s not unreasonable.
They still have a LONG way to go, as evidenced by their projected Opening Day outfield of Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Jordany Valdespin and Lucas Duda.
The Nats imported Denard Span and Dan Haren, discarding Edwin Jackson and either Rochey or Michael Morse. Call it even.
The Bravos hope to draw even before the season starts but as of now they’re on the wrong end of the Chipper and Bourn for B.J. Upton swap.
Philly is the NL version of the Yanks, aging and fading. They were able to snag a player the Braves wanted, Ben Revere, but he didn’t come cheap. Their new third baseman, Michael Young, is a middle class man’s Placido Polanco, which is another way of saying I’ll take my chances on Juan Francisco. They’re reportedly hot for Cody Ross, which is sort of like being hot for Marion Ross.
Then there’s Miami. Unfortunately for the 38 remaining Marlins fans, Jeffrey Loria did not trade himself. They have Giancarlo Stanton — for now, but don’t be surprised if Texas rescues him from south Florida.
