| Douglas Benton. 16th September, 2005 - 3:06 am
 While the Braves still appear to be a lock to capture their 14th division title, the collar is certainly tightening for a team that is usually setting up their playoff rotation at this point of the season. While the reasons are many for this recent slump, each has been on display in the first three games of their four game series in Philadelphia this week.
The major problem is something that has plagued this team since April and this is the bullpen. What started with the failed experiment of Dan Kolb has turned into a revolving door of closers and an inability to throw strikes. This has not been helped by an inability of the starters to go deep into games, which ties into the team’s second problem.
Outside of the duo of John Smoltz and Tim Hudson, the staff has been below average at best. Now, a big reason for this is injures to Hudson, Mike Hampton, and John Thomson have moved the rotation back a few steps, but they all came back from injury and beside Hudson, were ineffective. The saving grace is the emergence of Jorge Sosa and Kyle Davies, who teamed with Smoltz to help carry the Braves while their young hitters got their feet wet.
Those young hitters, tabbed the Baby Braves, have been the catalyst for this ballclub and should be commended for their quick development this summer. However, each has hit the “rookie wall” and it couldn’t have come at a worst time. This slump has been highlighted by super rook Jeff Francoeur, who has gone 3-11 during this current series.
The one bright spot on this team right now is all-world centerfielder Andruw Jones, who should win the National League MVP this year. On Wednesday, Jones crushed his 50th home run of the season to go with 125 RBI, which is 10 short of the club record. The 50 homers is already a club record.
However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel if you look at the glass as half full. In previous runs to October, the Braves have had a lot of time to think about the playoffs and its consequences, but now they must focus on the games on the schedule. Maybe this year they will play loose and end this recent streak of first-round exits. As Angels in the Outfield says, “Hey, it can happen.” |
