KTE - It's the #*@% Braves again...

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

The Mets leave the comforts of home and head south for a six game road trip. Coming off of a successful home stand (7-3) the Mets will venture into Turner Field in Atlanta for their third series against the Braves. The Mets sport the best road record in the majors (14-5) and currently hold a 2.5 game lead over the second place Braves in the NL East. The Braves return to Atlanta from a 10 game road trip which saw them go 4-6 against the Pirates, Nationals, and Red Sox. The Braves have defended their turf well at Turner Field (13-7) and hold the advantage over the Mets in head to head play (4-2) on the season.

Who’s Starting?
Tuesday, May 22nd @ 7:35 PM – Kyle Davies (RHP – 1-2, 5.17) vs. Jorge Sosa (RHP – 3-0, 2.25) – Jorge Sosa has been a pleasant surprise since replacing a disappointing Mike Pelfrey in the Mets rotation. His fastball and slider have been effective against left handed hitters as well as righties. The Mets hope his hot start will continue when he takes on his former club tonight. The Braves will counter in the series opener with Kyle Davies. The Braves believe that Davies is finally getting comfortable with his change up and look for him to improve on his performance of the past two seasons.

Wednesday, May 23 rd @ 7:35 PM – Chuck James (LHP) vs. Oliver Perez (LHP) – This will be a rematch of the April 21st game at Shea which the Mets won 7-2. The Mets jumped on James for 6 runs and 10 hits in 5plus innings and we be looking to hammer him again. Oliver Perez was masterful in his April performance against the Braves as well as in his last start against the Yankees. Perez has great stuff and as long as he can throw strikes, he generally pitches well.

Thursday, May 24th @ 7:35 PM – John Smoltz (RHP) vs, Tom Glavine (LHP) – The two longtime friends square off for a third time this season. Glavine has pitched pretty well against the Braves this season. In his two previous starts he has combined for 12.3 innings and allowed 5 earned runs on 11 hits. Smoltz is on a roll right now. In his last outing against the Red Sox he pitched 7 scoreless innings and allowed only 3 hits. He has not surrendered more than 2 earned runs in 7 of his last 8 starts. The lone exception being when the Mets roughed him up for 6 runs at Shea in April.

Who’s in the Pen?
The Mets bullpen has proven itself to be a formidable unit this season. Rookie Joe Smith (RHP), Aaron Heilman (RHP), Jose Feliciano (LHP), and veteran closer Billy Wagner (LHP) have been effective most of the year. Scott Schoeneweis (LHP) and Ambriox Burgas (RHP) have been inconsistent at best and for the most part disappointing. Collectively, the Mets bullpen is second in both ERA (3.06) and batting average allowed (.229).

The Braves revamped bullpen has been effective when healthy. Both Chad Paronto (RHP) and closer Bob Wickman (RHP) have spent time on the DL since the Mets last faced the Braves. Their absence placed a heavier work load on Mike Gonzalez (LHP) and Rafael Soriano (RHP) the past month. Now Paronto and Wickman are back, but the overworked Gonzalez is out. Despite the injuries in the bullpen, the Braves have held it together pretty well. The bullpen has a 4.05 ERA and has held opponents to a batting average of .250. Still, particularly when Smoltz or Hudson start, it is best to get them out of the game and get into the Atlanta bullpen as soon as possible

Who’s Hot? (last 7 days)
The Mets have a few hot bats in the line up. (Ave/SLG/OPS)
David Wright .333/.889/1.298 with 3 HR’s
Endy Chavez .389/.611/1.087
Paul LoDuca .333/.444/.794


The Braves have a few hitters to be careful with.
Matt Diaz .500/.722/1.249
Edgar Renteria .440/.720/1.201 with 2 HR’s
Chipper Freakin’ Jones .333/.714/1.078 with 2 HR’s

Who’s Chillin’? (Last 7 days) For every hot bat, there is unfortunately someone that can’t buy a hit.
Carlos Beltran .176/.176/.495 No extra base hits.
Jose Reyes .227/.273/.500
Carlos Delgado .227/.273/.553 with 7 K’s in 22 at bats

Andruw's as confused at the plate as he is trying to spell his name.
Andruw Jones .143/.143/286 with 10 K’s in 21 at bats

Who’s Wounded?
Moises Alou – 15 day DL for strained left quadriceps
Jose Valentin – 15 day DL for partial tear of right ACL
Orlando Hernandez – 15 day DL foe bursitis of right shoulder

The Braves are a few arms short at present.
LHP Mike Gonzalez – 15 day DL for pulling his groin
RHP Lance Cormier – 15 day DL strained right tricep
RHP Anthony Lerew – 15 day DL for basically sucking

[Willets Point]

Rockin' Doc wrote: Chipper Freakin’ Jones .333/.714/1.078 with 2 HR’s

I believe the correct spelling of his name is "Larry."

[Frayed Knot]

Late news from just this afternoon:

The Braves have released pitcher Mark Redman (something about his 11.63 ERA I guess). Their main problem this year has been their starters once past Hudson (who we'll miss) and Smoltz.
In his place they're bringing up pitcher Joey Devine - a college reliever (a rare choice for an Atlanta 1st round draft pick in 2005) who stuck briefly with the big club in both '05 & '06.

Also new since the last time we saw Los Bravos is sweet-swinging Jarrod Saltalamacchia (MLB record holder for longest last name ever). A catcher in the minors, they might be using him at 1st base so as to get both his bat and McCann's in the lineup.

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Wow, did Wright seriously get on base at an almost 90% clip the last week?

[Frayed Knot]

Not quite, that's BA / [u:bf575e130a]SLG[/u:bf575e130a] / OPS ... although that 2 HR / 3 IW day probably didn't hurt his OBA either

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Makes a lot more sense. That 2-2, 2 HR, 3 IBB game against the MFYs had me believin'.