4/11 News, Links, Discussion: Braves-Astros, Atlanta Picks Up First Win
April 11, 2012 at 10:26 am by David Lee under Atlanta Braves
Seeking a Series Win
* The Braves picked up their first win of the season on Tuesday, a 6-4 victory behind a home run by Chipper Jones in his season debut. The Braves and Astros face off in the rubber game tonight at 8:05 on Fox Sports South. Randall Delgado faces Wandy Rodriguez.
* 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), Chipper Jones (3B), Dan Uggla (2B), Jason Heyward (RF), David Ross (C), Jack Wilson (SS), Randall Delgado (P).
Astros lineup: Jordan Schafer (CF), Jose Altuve (2B), J.D. Martinez (LF), Carlos Lee (1B), Travis Buck (RF), Chris Johnson (3B), Jason Castro (C), Marwin Gonzalez (SS), Wandy Rodriguez (P).
Game Notes
It’s back to the drawing board for the Braves in regards to offense, as they face another left-hander in Rodriguez. The Braves have a .201 wOBA against lefties so far this season, and rank 26th in ground ball percentage vs. southpaws at 58%.
Rodriguez has a career 3.43 xFIP against left-handed batters and 4.07 against righties. His K% vs. lefties is 22.1% compared to 19.3% vs. righties.
More Links
* Jason Wojciechowski of Baseball Prospectus takes a look at the value of converting starters to relievers.
* Baseball Prospectus’ Collateral Damage, a daily list of injury updates that is very valuable to keep track of, has this note on Chipper: “Chipper was activated from the disabled list, but we’re sure he will end up on the list again.” Aw, man.
Around the NL East
* David Wright has a small fracture in his right pinkie and his return is unknown. A stint on the disabled list is possible, but they will know more today when he is re-evaluated.
* Mike Morse suffered a setback during a rehab game on Tuesday, causing him to leave the game early and giving the Nationals further worries about what exactly is wrong with his right lat muscle. A day-to-day thing during spring training has turned into the complete unknown as to when he might return.
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Has there been any news on the Storen front? I have been waiting but heard nothing.
Read this AM he was scheduled to see Dr James “Tommy John” Andrews. No update as of my wonderfully long lunch break.
I thought that visit was yesterday. Maybe it was today though.
Joe Simpson kept saying how Chipper puts up great numbers the day he comes back from the DL. I’m not sure if they showed a graphic running those numbers or not- does anyone know what they are?
What do you think are the odds Rossy plays today. Mac for the record is 0-10 against Wandy and Ross is 6-20. Mac also has not had a day off yet. To me it makes sense.
Agreed, it definitely seems like a perfect time to give Ross his FIRST AT BATS of the season… what a joke
How is it a joke. You hardly ever want to use your backup catcher in a game.
Think he was saying that Ross getting his first at-bats in the 6th game is a joke.
Sorry Mike… Michael is right, just trying to reinforce how ridiculous it is Ross has a no pinch-hit clause
Yeah Ross will probably play. Any chance Heyward plays over Diaz?
I think Heyward plays. He hits Wandy a little well in his 5 ABs(2 hits). He also already sat 2 days ago. If Jason is the future he HAS to see time against LHP.
I was worried about this situation because I knew it would come up when Chipper was back. Sitting him now in favor of Diaz is basically saying you don’t think he’ll ever be effective against left-handed pitching which is absurd given his age and talent level.
If Frediot does start Ross instead of McCann, I wonder how that changes the lineup from last night?
I’m guessing…
Bourn CF
Prado LF
Freddie 1B
Uggla 2B
Chipper 3B
Heyward RF
Rossy C
Pastor SS
Delgado P
Re: Drew Storen,
He saw James Andrews yesterday and the Nationals will give an update following their game today. They’re hoping it’s only a loose body or bone chip and not the UCL.
I would like to see the odds of a catcher getting hurt after using your backup as a pinch hitter. If the game goes 15 innings, just put anyone behind the dish if the extra time is becoming an injury risk to McCann, or if he in fact does get injured. I would rather try to win when possible instead of lose, even if it means throwing the game if it becomes drawn out. If that makes any sense. ESPECIALLY if it means having Ross hit in an important at bat instead of.. say.. Constanza.
Yes. This exactly! The marginal cost of never getting to use that extra right-handed bench bat (who is actually pretty damn good Fredo…) is simply not worth saving a backup catcher.
Just read that Joey Devine has to get a second Tommy John surgery. Man that guy has had a rough past few years. It’s just cruel to have that kind of great baseball name, perform so well in Oakland (after giving up the homer in the playoffs vs the Astros), and then be shut down for about 4 years. Tragic.
Gwinnett just came back from being down 12-5 in the 9th to tie and send to extras. Constanza is 2 for 3 and has 3 walks. Go figure.
Manager must have tied his bat to his leg so he couldn’t swing…
He just hit a 2 run triple in the 11th to take the lead. Fredi is begging Wren to send down Heyward and bring up Constanza.
I think Fredi might just get murdered if that happened…
They’ve sent Morse’s test results to Dr James Andrews too.
Not sure anyone has ever been to see him and not had major surgery.
It happens a pretty decent amount, its just that nobody ever remembers when a player doesn’t need surgery. I remember Zach Britton going to see Dr. Andrews and not having surgery this spring, off the top of my head.
Anyone know of a good reason for Wilson to be playing and Pastornicky to be sitting?