3/17: News, Links and Discussion: Braves v. Mets & Braves v. Blue Jays
March 17, 2012 at 12:10 pm by Franklin Rabon under Atlanta Braves, Daily Post
* The Braves play split squad games today. Braves @ Mets (1:10 MLB.TV) and Blue Jays @ Braves (MLB.TV, FSS).
A mild amount of controversy since apparently the Braves wanted to use a DH with Medlen starting against the Mets. The Braves probably were balancing not wanting the Mets to see Beachy in a ST game v. preferring to use a DH in that game. It also caused Joey Terdoslavich to not start (though I’m sure he will come in for Prado pretty early).
@braves with the Lineups:
v. Mets: Simmons 6 Prado 5 Heyward 9 Freeman 3 Diaz 7 Ross 2 Sutton 4 Durango 8 Medlen 1
Gilmartin will follow Medlen (via DOB, linked below)
v. Blue Jays: Bourn 8 Pastornicky 6 McCann DH Uggla 4 Jones 5 Hinske 3 Parraz 9 Bethancourt 2 Constanza 7 Beachy 1
* Game recaps of the Braves WIN over the Astros from the AP, AJC/DOB and Bowman. My analysis: I think Heyward’s swing might just be okay. Tommy Hanson looked good, not great, his new delivery isn’t a major difference at all.
* Bowman has a nice story about the Braves family helping trainer Jeff Porter through tough times following the death of his wife. Another on the same topic can be found here by AJC’s Alexis Stevens.
* Tommy Hanson felt comfortable on the mound for the first time this spring.
* Jack Wilson believes he won’t start the season on the DL.
* Bowman’s notes: Some repeat info here, but some info at the bottom that isn’t in the other articles
* Kris Medlen is excited for his start.
* Jason Heyward says the only thing he is really concerned with right now is getting his timing down.
Links you might have missed from yesterday afternoon/evening if you didn’t check back:
* In DOB’s latest blog, he examines the Braves thus far dismal record in spring training. He claims that based on his anecdotal experience with the Marlins that extremely good and extremely bad spring training records can be telling. He contradicts himself at the end of the piece by citing examples that completely refute that, but you know, why let facts get in the way of a good narrative? However, he does give some good info on Cory Gearrin taking a little off his sinker to get more movement, at the suggestion of Roger McDowell.
* Chipper Jones commented on Bryce Harper, and what it’s like to be a phenom in the Washington Post
* Jim Bowden says that he’s heard two rival GMs say that they beieve Teheran needs to go back to AAA to figure out how to pitch without his best stuff and get a better ‘feel’ for pitching. (ESPN Insider sub req’d)
* Camden Depot examines FIP by ‘rotation slot’ from last year in the NL East. To no great shock, the Phillies lapped the field, while the Braves were 2nd.
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jason heyward batting 3rd. Heres to hoping he doesnt move from that slot
Here’s hoping he continues hitting like a 3 hitter.
Braves win both games and pull ahead of the Rays and Rangers in the process. Crisis time in Tampa Bay and Texas, right?
@3
I tried to be one of the few sane people that wasn’t worried about what was happening. Good to see the Braves offense looking good the last few games and getting some W’s.