4/10 News, Links, Discussion: Braves-Astros, Chipper Returns, Ozzie Suspended
April 10, 2012 at 11:05 am by David Lee under Atlanta Braves
Still Searching for No. 1
Source: FanGraphs
* The Braves fell to the Astros 8-3 on Monday, dropping their fourth straight to open the season. They’ll continue to search for their first win as they play the second game of the series against the Astros at 8:05 on Fox Sports South. Tommy Hanson faces Kyle Weiland.
* Capitol Avenue Club’s The Process Versus the Astros.
* Capitol Avenue Club’s heat maps for the Astros.
* MLB.com preview.
* STATS preview.
Braves lineup: Michael Bourn (CF), Martin Prado (LF), Freddie Freeman (1B), Brian McCann (C), Dan Uggla (2B), Chipper Jones (3B), Jason Heyward (RF), Tyler Pastornicky (SS), Tommy Hanson (P).
Astros lineup: Jordan Schafer (CF), Jose Altuve (2B), J.D. Martinez (LF), Carlos Lee (1B), Brian Bogusevic (RF), Chris Johnson (3B), Chris Snyder (C), Marwin Gonzalez (SS), Kyle Weiland (P).
Game Notes
Chipper hit sixth six times last season, so this isn’t new territory for him. It likely has more to do with wanting Freeman higher in the order and splitting up three straight left-handed batters than not pushing Chipper too hard with a higher spot in the order, which some may believe.
Heyward returns to the lineup after sitting last night in favor of Matt Diaz. Heyward came off the bench late and struck out.
Weiland was part of the package Houston acquired this winter along with Jed Lowrie for Mark Melancon, who was sent to Boston. Weiland hasn’t had much success in 24.2 big league innings, but he’s 25 this year and the Astros figure his stuff will play in the NL Central.
Hanson’s 79 opponent plate appearances at Minute Maid Park is the fifth-most of any park in his career. It’s a small sample size, but he has allowed just one extra base hit over that total.
Chipper Returns
* Chipper Jones is expected to return and be in the lineup tonight, only 15 days after undergoing surgery on his knee. A rehab assignment was considered, but Chipper made the decision it was best to return now, ahead of the scheduled date of April 13.
Update (3:00p): Chipper has indeed been activated from the disabled list and Jose Constanza was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. Chipper is expected to start at third in tonight’s game at Houston.
More Links
* David O’Brien’s latest blog post speaks on the Braves’ early struggles, Juan Francisco’s defense and the 1988 team that we would all like to forget.
Around the NL East
* The issues surrounding Ozzie Guillen over his comments on Fidel Castro have resulted in a five-game suspension for the manager.
* Giancarlo Stanton was a late scratch with a sore left knee yesterday, continuing his problems with the knee that stayed with him for much of spring training.
* Drew Storen was sent to Dr. James Andrews for further evaluation on his throwing elbow, a bad sign for the closer. Storen continues to have issues with a tender elbow after experiencing soreness during spring training.
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Has anyone tried MLBtv on Xbox Live yet? I wondering about its functionality and quality. Thanks.
I have and its really good some of the functions are a little confusing like changing the broadcast but you get use to it
My only issue is there’s a massive delay. Watching the game “live” actually means that my scorecenter app tells me a scoring play happened about 2 minutes before it happens on my xbox.
Quality of picture and sound isn’t bad though.
Going out on a limb here… Fredi has seriously got to be feeling some pressure so I’m thinking he finally quits screwing with the lineup and bullpen and uses them the way they are meant to be.
Hanson goes 6 strong innings giving up 1 run and O’Ventrabel take over to shut it down.
Chipper sparks the offense with a 2 for 3 start with a walk and RBI.
Braves get the classic win from last year in a 3-1 effort.
From what I have heard about the Storen situation(I live in Newark, DE close to Philly and Washington) it doesnt sound like TJ is needed(they do not thing his UCL is damaged). They seem to think that it could be a bone chip or some sort of floating body.
Random comical stat… According to CoolStandings.com (apparently where ESPN pulls their Playoff Odds from) the Yankees, having only mustered one more win than our win-less Braves, has a 60% chance of making the playoff compared to the Braves 18%.
LOLerskates!
A couple of questions:
1. If Hudson produces as expected, should his $9M option be exercised next season?
2. How does Uggla’s 5 year/$62M deal last year compare to Ian Kinsler’s 5 Year/$75M deal? Or, should Uggla not be viewed as a second baseman?
I think the Rangers got a great deal for Kinsler. He’s a great second baseman. Cano will probably get 20+ annually now though.
Now add Brandon Phillips’ 6 year/$72.5 mil contract to the discussion…
I don’t know what the Reds are doing…that is going to be an ugly contract a lot sooner than later.
Stellar fielding aside, Phillips has pretty average offensive numbers with Cincinnati. 102 OPS+, .779 OPS … slashing around .270/.330/.430 and his SB production has fallen off a cliff (30 SB/21 CS combined last two seasons.)
Yeah, this is a bad deal for the Reds IMO, and it makes the Uggla contract look a bit better by comparison.
Someone on MLBTR has actually made a case that Philliips is very comparable to Kelly Johnson
Even after being frustrated with an 0-4 start, remember that last season the Braves were only barely playing .500 ball through April of last season. They then turned it on through May.
It’s not like it’s going to happen again, but this is basically the same team as last year (at least that’s what the downers like to say to me).
You are correct. The team at the end of April was 13-15. In May, they went 17-11, in June they went 17-9, in July 16-10, and in August(despite the “slow” ending) 17-10.
I don’t feel as though Mr. Gonzalez is a competent manager. I would not be sad if he were to be released from his current duties with the Atlanta Braves.
Understated popular sentiment FTW!
Guessing the visiting manager’s office at Minutemaid has a small malt-liquor stain from the one Fredi just poured out.
Let’s go Chip!
Random thought: If the Astros traded Jason Castro to the Marlins, how many Castro jerseys do you think the Marlins would sell? I would buy one.
Re: Update
Yay for Chipper officially being activated and at least we don’t have to worry about being Constanza’d again… until someone gets injured…
What stood out to me in DOB’s latest blog was this:
“The Braves are 11-for-70 (.157) with seven walks and 20 strikeouts against lefties. The Rockies (67 at-bats) are the only other team in majors with more than 61 at-bats vs. lefties.
Last season the Braves had a majors-worst average (.229) and OBP (.291) in 1691 at-bats vs. lefties, while the Rockies (1559 at-bats) were only other team with as many as 1500 ABs vs. lefties).”
This seems to be the Braves’ Achilles heel. And, it’s no secret around the league.
Should we expect teams to shuffle starters so as to give the Braves as many lefties as possible?
We’ve already seen it at the end of the last two years, I believe. Both times, the Phillies moved a start by Halladay and Co. to ensure that he would pitch against the Braves.
Actual comments about Constanza from a guy on fbook today, ya’ll:
“My guy will get him a steady diet of AB’s and return to be an impact again.”
Then a few comments later …
“As much as you hate to do it, give Constanza credit for the run that he had last year. He stepped in and was a part of the best stretch that we had all of last year. He may not be your style of player but he can contribute in a lot of ways for the right ball club.”
I have no problem with that statement… just as long as the ball club being referred to is Class Double-A or lower…
Actual comments on twitter in reply to Chipper being activated and Constanza being sent down:
“@Braves y?? Jose is a player that we need playing!”
“@Braves can’t believe they are keeping Francisco over Constanza?? Insane!!”
This is what we are up against.
Let’s all celebrate the Braves winning a roster moves game and sending Constanza down! Huzzah!
And there was much rejoicing . . . !
I’m not going to try to defend Constanza as a major league player, but I think most ppl agree that Diaz would be a better cut. At least Constanza has speed. Diaz is a free swinging, slow, poor defending, weak armed and overpayed excuse for apparently a starter for the Atlanta Braves. (I know he isn’t really a starter but he has started all but one game this season.)
Well neither he nor Diaz should have really made the team out of ST. They both were outplayed by Durango and Parraz.
Constanza is 4 for 34 since Aug 24 last year (.120) with no walks, no SB (1 CS) and no XBH. It’s a bit hard to see how a .120 OBP guy can use his speed, even more so as his baserunning skills could use some improvement…
Someone posted this as Fredi’s new bullpen use guide.
http://i.imgur.com/eQN3m.jpg
On the bright side, Costanza is no longer available to Frediot. On the dark side, he’s only a short drive away from once again being available to Frediot….
“watch me manage”
Chipper Jones is the man. It will be a sad day for this organization when he leaves.
He killed it today, in his first two at bats of the season. And the game isn’t even over.