Braves try to salvage some dignity
James draws assignment in finale
By Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com 07/29/2006 6:17 PM ET
It will be a matchup of lefties in the final game of Atlanta’s three-game series against New York on Sunday. Former Brave Tom Glavine takes the mound against Atlanta rookie Chuck James at Turner Field in a game where the Braves could desperately use a win.
Everything seemed to be falling in place for the Braves when they returned to Atlanta after an encouraging 7-2 road trip. They were coming off six straight series wins and had put themselves back into position to try to make a run at the Wild Card.
But any hint of momentum that Atlanta has built has been discouragingly squashed with a 1-4 start to a homestand against two teams from its own division. The Braves have all but eliminated themselves from the NL East race with two straight losses to the Mets. A 14-game deficit with 59 games left to play simply appears too daunting to overcome with a New York team that doesn’t seem to be hitting a rut.
“We obviously didn’t want to go down 2-0 to these guys to start the series and go into tomorrow to try to salvage a game,” said Tim Hudson, Saturday’s losing pitcher. “But it is what it is. Hopefully, Chuck will go out there and give us a good chance to win.”
While the players keep speaking about the Wild Card as a good backup plan, this recent skid is beginning to threaten Atlanta’s chances at even grabbing that last postseason berth. Saturday’s loss dropped the Braves to seven games behind Cincinnati and back into a logjam among numerous NL teams vying for the Wild Card.
James will be making his sixth start of the season against a veteran to whom many are already beginning to compare him. James’ career as a Major League starter has gotten off to a solid start, with four wins in five games. The 24-year-old lefty allowed only two runs in seven innings in his last start, but has been prone to giving up the long ball. In his last four starts, James has allowed seven home runs.
Glavine will be making his third start against his former club this year. After finishing the first two months of the season with a sub-3.00 ERA, Glavine hasn’t been so sharp during the last two months. He has a 4.97 ERA in five July starts and is coming off a losing effort against the Cubs in which he allowed five earned runs in 6 1/3 innings.
Pitching matchup
NYM: LHP Tom Glavine (11-4, 3.69 ERA)
Since signing with the Mets after the 2002 season, Glavine has faced his former team 14 times. The 40-year-old lefty would likely want to forget about the majority of those starts; he has accumulated a 3-9 record with a 5.32 ERA. However, New York is hopeful that Glavine can pull out a performance like he did against the Braves back on April 19, when he allowed only one earned run and four hits in eight innings.
ATL: LHP Chuck James (4-1, 3.53 ERA)
James has never started against the Mets, but made two relief appearances against the New York club on April 17. In a total of 2 1/3 innings, James allowed only one hit, one walk and struck out two.
Player to watch
Edgar Renteria is 16-for-41 against Glavine with three doubles and six RBIs. The Atlanta shortstop also comes into the game with an impressive .391 average against lefties this season.
Today’s Line
FAVORITE OPEN CUR UNDERDOG O/U
NEW YORK 135 0 ATLANTA —
Season Series
New York leads 7-4
If the Mets win, it will be the first three game sweep of the Braves since 1985.
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