Congrats to Smoltzi
Welcome John Smoltz to the 3,000 Career Strikeout Club
210 Wins
154 Saves
3.25 ERA
1.168 WHIP
3,006 Strikeouts
Rank - Player - Total - Years
1. Nolan Ryan 5,714 27
2. Roger Clemens 4,672 24
3. Randy Johnson 4,629 20
4. Steve Carlton 4,136 24
5. Bert Blyleven 3, 701 22
6. Tom Seaver 3,640 20
7. Don Sutton 3,574 23
8. Gaylord Perry 3,534 22
9. Walter Johnson 3,509 21
10. Phil Niekro 3,342 24
11. Greg Maddux 3,287 22
12. Ferguson Jenkins 3,192 19
13. Bob Gibson 3,117 17
14. Curt Schilling 3,116 20
15. Pedro Martinez 3,031 16
16. John Smoltz 3,006 20
Glavine/Smoltzie
Braves try to at least win a game from this series and keep their bid for the NL East crown alive.
Smoltz hopes to take finale vs. Glavine
By Jeff Lutz / MLB.com
John Smoltz and Tom Glavine will square off on the mound for the fourth time this season, but talk about milestones and about the past will take a backseat since both Atlanta and the Mets are more worried about where they'll be in October.
The last time good friends and former Atlanta teammates Smoltz and Glavine met, Smoltz picked up his 200th career victory. Now Glavine returns for the first time since winning his 300th game on Aug. 5 in what could be his final appearance before the fans at Turner Field who once adored him.
Smoltz will leave such sentimentality to the fans, who finally gave Glavine a standing ovation when the 41-year-old left-hander was honored before Friday's game. The Atlanta ace is focusing on the task at hand -- trying to help the Braves climb out of a 6 1/2-game hole in the National League East.
"I'm just going to approach it as what it is," Smoltz said of his matchup on Sunday against Glavine in the final game of a three-game series. "We're fortunately in the midst of a pretty good race. The other stuff will take a back seat right now."
This will be the fourth meeting between Smoltz and Glavine this season. Smoltz is 2-0 in the head-to-head matchups and the Braves have won all three previous meetings.
Those victories, however, don't put Atlanta in first place, and the Braves still covet the position of the Mets, who are looking to win the NL East for the second straight season after Atlanta won it 11 times in a row.
The Braves haven't had a winning month since April, and they went just 4-6 on a recent road trip against three teams -- Cincinnati, St. Louis and Florida -- who were all under .500 when the series started.
"We've played our way into this," Smoltz said. "Now, the only thing we can do is play our way out of it."
Glavine won 242 games with the Braves from 1987-2002, but is just 3-11 against his former team since joining the Mets.
With his career possibly entering its final month, Glavine can look back fondly about his time with the Braves, when he reached the postseason 11 times and pitched in rotations featuring fellow future Hall of Famers Smoltz and Greg Maddux.
"That's something that, for me personally, was pretty special," Glavine said. "I think that's a threesome that will go down in the history of baseball as one of the very best."
Pitching matchup
ATL: RHP John Smoltz (12-6, 3.06 ERA)
Smoltz pitched on three days' rest for the first time since June 2006 in his last start. He didn't earn the victory, but he pitched six innings and allowed three runs against the Marlins while taking a no-decision in Florida's win. Since July 2, Smoltz is 3-1 with a 3.05 ERA, and in his career against the Mets, he is 17-13 with 24 saves in 66 appearances.
NYM: LHP Tom Glavine (11-6, 4.15 ERA)
Glavine sits at 301 wins after following win No. 300 with a victory two starts later against the Nationals. Glavine hasn't lost since July 2, going 4-0, with his last two wins coming on the road. In his two starts against the Braves this season, Glavine is 0-2 with a 5.29 ERA.
Player to watch
Atlanta center fielder Andruw Jones has 16 hits in 41 at-bats against Glavine for a .390 average. Half of those hits are for extra bases -- four doubles and four home runs.
Braves Look to Continue Dominance
Smoltz can add to history vs. Mets
By Jeff Lutz / MLB.com
John Smoltz, predictably, has plenty of history against the Mets, who have been the Braves' chief National League East division rivals since 1994. Smoltz will try to write more positive accounts when he takes the mound against New York at Shea Stadium in the second game of an important three-game series on Wednesday night.
The Mets and Braves are battling for the East division crown, and postseason and playoff-like atmospheres are nothing new for Smoltz against New York. In 1999, Smoltz made his first career relief appearance for Atlanta in the National League Championship Series against the Mets, a precursor to Smoltz taking over the closer's role in 2001 while recovering from an elbow injury that forced him to miss the entire 2000 season.
As a new closer, Smoltz earned his 10th career save against the Mets on Sept. 28, 2001, helping Atlanta lock up its 10th straight division title. New York entered the game trailing the Braves by three games in the East with four to play, and the loss effectively ended the Mets' season.
Now, it's Atlanta which is trying to play catchup, and Smoltz is the man the Braves want on the mound with the season potentially on the line. In his regular-season career, Smoltz holds a 67-46 record in August or later with a 3.25 ERA. Against the Mets in the regular season, Smoltz is 17-13 with 24 saves and a 3.44 ERA.
His mound opponent Wednesday, Orlando Hernandez, has just as much big-game experience, with a 12-3 record in the postseason. First, though, the Mets have to get there, and Hernandez's 33-25 career post-July record will certainly help. In six career starts against Atlanta, El Duque is 3-1 with a 2.88 ERA.
Pitching matchup
ATL: RHP John Smoltz (10-6, 3.04 ERA)
Smoltz has alternated wins and losses since winning his second straight decision May 24. That start, against the Mets and good friend and former Braves lefty Tom Glavine, netted Smoltz his 200th career win. Since, Smoltz is 3-4 in 10 starts with a stint on the disabled list in early July.
NYM: RHP Orlando Hernandez (7-4, 3.00 ERA)
Since losing three of four decisions from June 11-July 4, Hernandez is 3-0 in five starts with a 2.48 ERA. During that stretch, opposing batters are hitting .171 against him, though half of the 20 hits he has allowed have gone for extra bases. Like Smoltz, Hernandez pitched 6 2/3 innings in his last start. Hernandez got a no-decision, unlike Smoltz, who took a loss against the Rockies.
Player to watch
Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones is a career .328 hitter against the Braves, with 202 hits in 615 at-bats. He has 63 extra-base hits, including 37 home runs, lifetime against New York but just three hits (including a homer) in 12 at-bats versus Hernandez.
From Yesterday's Game
Atlanta Braves Jeff Francoeur follows through on his third inning three-run home run off New York Mets pitcher Oliver Perez in their baseball game at Shea Stadium in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007.
(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
MR 200
Congrats John Smoltz - You are Amazing!
200 Wins
154 Saves
2838 Strike Outs
3.26 Career ERA
• 1992: NLCS Most Valuable Player
• 1996: National League Cy Young Award
• 1996: National League TSN Pitcher of the Year
• 2002: National League Rolaids Relief Award
• 2005: Major League Lou Gehrig Memorial Award
• 2005: Major League Roberto Clemente Award
1995 World Series Champion
And the best post season pitcher in baseball
Smoltz V Glavine : 1 MORE TIME!
Another Rubber Match!
Smoltz vies for milestone vs. ex-mate
05/24/2007 1:00 AM ET
By Jeff Lutz / MLB.com
John Smoltz looks forward to the day he and Tom Glavine can both wear Braves hats together again. Not on the field, but in the Hall of Fame, where both pitchers will probably be inducted on the first ballot.
"This organization feels that the hat he's going to wear is going to be an Atlanta Braves hat," Smoltz said of Glavine. "This organization feels, and deep down everybody who has been here knows, that he is an Atlanta Brave. But he just isn't right now."
Smoltz can boost his Hall resume Thursday, when he looks to pick up career win No. 200 against his good friend Glavine and the Mets in the finale of a three-game set in Atlanta, a series that's tied at a game apiece.
It's the third time this season Smoltz has met his former fellow Atlanta ace, but added importance comes with this one. In addition to Smoltz's potential milestone, Glavine is looking to continue his trail toward 300 wins, entering Thursday with 295.
More importantly, though, the pitchers just want to win. Smoltz remembers his first win, but none after that. He probably won't remember No. 200, either, unless it comes against his buddy Glavine, who happens to play for Atlanta's biggest National League East rival.
"The only thing [beating Glavine] does is give you a better memory," Smoltz said. "I couldn't tell you who half my wins are against from a significance standpoint."
That's because, to Smoltz, they're all significant.
"I think Smoltzie thrives every five days, no matter what," Braves manager Bobby Cox said.
Both pitchers have thrived since Glavine left the Braves as a free agent to sign with New York before the 2003 season. Since then, the pair have combined for 89 wins, as well as 89 saves -- all by Smoltz, who spent four years as Atlanta's closer.
The Braves' pitching was the key in their record 14 straight division titles from 1991-2005. That's why Glavine and Smoltz, though no longer teammates, will forever be linked, even after their duels become only memories.
"I think that, for us," Glavine said, "the friendship that we have, and knowing we'll be friends long beyond baseball, there are a lot of things we'll have the opportunity to tell stories about. The matchups that we've had this year will certainly only add to that."
Pitching matchup
NYM: LHP Tom Glavine (5-1, 3.43 ERA)
Glavine hasn't lost since April 7, going 4-0 with four no-decisions. He has pitched exactly six innings in eight of his 10 starts this season.
ATL: RHP John Smoltz (6-2, 2.85 ERA)
Smoltz is 1-0 in his two matchups vs. Glavine. He earned a no-decision in their last meeting, when on April 22, he allowed six earned runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Player to watch
Braves outfielder Andruw Jones has torched his former teammate, going 16-for-40 against Glavine with four homers. Jones said Wednesday that his exploits at the plate and in the field accounted for "about 15" of Glavine's 242 wins as a Brave.
Happy Birthday Smotlzie
40th birthday edition: Q&A with Smoltz
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
John Smoltz spent the early parts of his career with the Braves pitching in the shadows of Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine. As time has elapsed, he has gained the same sort of legendary status and given reason to believe that he will indeed one day join them in the Hall of Fame.
With his 40th birthday on Tuesday, Smoltz joined a club that also includes Maddux and Glavine. The veteran Braves hurler joins an increasing group of pitchers who are proving they can still get outs after they enter their fifth decade of life.
Smoltz's Hall of Fame credentials are strong. He is two victories away from being the first Major League hurler to record both 200 wins and 150 saves in a career. His all-time record of 15 postseason wins is a product of the fact that he helped the Braves capture an unprecedented 14 consecutive division titles.
Smoltz recently sat down with MLB.com to reflect on a stellar career that began in 1988 and look ahead to a future, during which he may find himself playing on the PGA's Senior Tour.
MLB.com: When you began your Major League career in 1988, did you envision that you would still be pitching at 40 years old?
JS: I always thought I would get to 40. I really did. I knew the desire would be there. I just didn't know if the body would be there.
MLB.com: Was there ever a point when coming back from any of the four elbow surgeries that you had, that you had to battle the "it's not worth all of this" mentality?
JS: After I came back from Tommy John surgery in 2001 and had to go back on the disabled list, yeah, I was ready to hang it up. I was thinking, "I don't know how much of this I want to go through with."
MLB.com: There are still some who wonder if you are a legitimate Hall of Fame candidate. What are your thoughts when you hear this?
JS: I love to hear people argue over that because it's amusing to me. I love to hear their pros and cons. I don't have any say over that. Nor is that what drives me to do what I do. I've lost a million one-run games that I've pitched well. What does it mean? It's just part of the game. Sometimes it works out your way and sometimes it doesn't.
I'll be judged by the [Braves] organization that has kept me here for so long, and that's all I care about.
MLB.com: Why have you been able to continue being a successful power pitcher?
JS: Genetics. You can't make yourself a power pitcher. It would be different if I was throwing 84 [mph] most of my career and then all the sudden jumped up to 92 [mph] because I figured out some great workout or some great secret. It's all about genetics and then maintaining my body through good flexibility and good workouts. I'm always listening and adhering to things related to my body.
MLB.com: While you were growing up in Michigan, you idolized Jack Morris. What were your thoughts when at the age of 24, you nearly matched his mastery during that 1-0 loss to the Twins in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series?
JS: I think back to that day and think, "How did I survive with just two pitches?" But it happened. I was wild. I threw hard. I had a real good slider.
MLB.com: From a confidence standpoint, was that the most important start of your career?
JS: It was for me. I always dreamed of pitching in Game 7 of the World Series. No matter how many times I did it in my dreams or how many times I did it in my mind, you've still got to prove it to yourself that you can do that.
MLB.com: You've won more postseason games than anybody in history. Is there one playoff start that you believe was undoubtedly your best?
JS: I've had a lot of great games that have gone unnoticed because of the game number, or at which point of the postseason that it was played. I remember opening up in Los Angeles (in 1996) and pitching Game 1 of that Division Series and going nine innings in a 1-1 game and seeing us win, 2-1, in 10 innings. To me, it set the tone for the entire series.
I've had a lot of individual games that were, per se, greater than Game 7 of the (1991) World Series. But none of them greater than the moment of Game 7.
MLB.com: Why do you think you have formed such a strong friendship with Tiger Woods?
JS: I don't know the answer to that, other than we have compatible personalities. I really respect what he does and I think it's vice-versa with him. I'm no way or nowhere near the category that he's in. But I think we both have the ability to respect what perseverance means.
Friendships don't usually attract opposites. Your interests usually coincide. Both of us have a strong desire to be the best at what we do.
MLB.com: Do you still believe that you will be capable of competing on the PGA's Senior Tour?
JS: Yes. Unless my body makes it that I can't chase my ambitions. There's no doubt in my mind that I can make it. But that doesn't mean that I'm going to make it. I also had no doubt as a little kid that I was going to make it in the big leagues.
MLB.com: You have said the game of golf has helped improve your mental approach as a pitcher. Is there any aspect of baseball that could benefit you if you do play on the Senior Tour?
JS: I'm not going to be as talented as the guys who are there. But because of all the years in baseball, I'll have as much mental toughness as the guys who are there. Plus, I don't need it for financial security. I'm doing it just to see if I can do it.
MLB.com: Will the game ever see another starting rotation as formidable as the ones that included yourself, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine?
JS: There probably will be and have been some rotations equal to what we went through, but not for this long, and not ones in which each guy just keeps getting better. Maddux just kept getting better. I've got a ceiling and I've gotten pretty close to that ceiling.
Where the ceiling gets eliminated is when you give me one game to win or the postseason. Then I've got a chance to raise my level. But short of that, I would never be able to sustain that during the regular season.
MLB.com: Did each of you become better pitchers based simply on the fact that you were together for so long?
JS: I know I did, and I would have liked it to have continued because I think I would be even better than I am today.
MLB.com: Why didn't jealousy ever get in the way of the strong friendships that you continue to share with Maddux and Glavine?
JS: I was never going to let jealousy be a part of it. I'm very secure in who I am. For them to answer it, they'd have to answer it themselves. Of the three of us, it would have been the hardest for me because they were head and shoulders above me.
I was the guy in the back seat and those guys took turns driving, and it was fine for me. I may have some blind spots to some aspects to my life. But for the most part, I think I'm pretty objective. I understand my place in the game. I have humility and I just love to have a good time.
With them, how could you not have a good time?
MLB.com: Do you regret that you had to spend three and a half seasons as a closer? Or do you truly believe it was the best role for your arm coming off of Tommy John surgery?
JS: I don't know if that was what was best for me. I don't regret it. If it was best for the team for those three and a half years, then great. But I don't regret it.
MLB.com: How should history remember the streak of 14 consecutive division titles that the Braves captured?
JS: It will never happen again. I hate the fact that people will try to find negatives in there. Winning just one World Series shouldn't take away from what was done, because it will never happen again.
MLB.com: Some of your closest friends include Woods, Maddux and Glavine. You were part of a run of 14 consecutive division titles and now you have a chance to pitch past your 40th birthday. Do you ever consider yourself to be one of the most fortunate people in the world?
JS: I'm very blessed. I'm very lucky. That's why I try to show it.
Braves vs Mets. Smoltz/Glavine Showdown
Braves look to go up 4 to 2 on Mets
Smoltz aims to go 3-0 against Glavine
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
John Smoltz has already had the pleasure of competing against his good friend Tom Glavine. When he steps on the mound at Shea Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the Braves' veteran pitcher will be much more concerned about how he'll attack the mighty Mets lineup.
"Not to beat a dead horse, but it's more about facing a lineup than it is about facing the other pitcher," Smoltz said. "It's about how you're going to do whatever you can to beat that other team. I know he's going to do that and I will, too."
For 15 seasons, Smoltz and Glavine were teammates in Atlanta. When they oppose each other on Sunday, they'll just be a pair of good friends doing whatever necessary to improve their teams' positioning in the National League East race.
Smoltz has won both of his previous two career starts against Glavine. The most recent matchup came on April 7, when he allowed two earned runs over six innings and helped the Braves register one of the three victories they've recorded in five games against the Mets this year.
With Saturday's win, the Mets set up the rubber match in this three-game series and moved one-half game ahead of the Braves in the NL East standings.
Though he hasn't yet shown his usual dominance, Smoltz has started this season in fine fashion. He's provided a quality start in each of his first four outings and his only loss came on April 12, when he allowed the Nationals two runs in eight innings.
"I see him doing well and I see what he's done, and the adjustments and changes he's made in his career because of injuries, and it's pretty remarkable," said Glavine, who is seven wins shy of the 300-win milestone. "I'm doing what he's doing now, kind of the same thing. I want to try and keep up with him so at the end of the year I have something to match up with his numbers."
Glavine's only loss in his first four starts this year came on April 7, when the Braves touched him for five runs -- two earned -- in 5 1/3 innings. The 41-year-old southpaw, who pitched for the Braves from 1987-2002, is 3-10 with a 5.55 ERA in 13 career starts against his former employer.
In his last nine starts against the Braves, Glavine is 2-3 with a 2.76 ERA.
"We look forward to another epic battle between Smoltzie and Glav [on Sunday]," Chipper Jones said.
Pitching matchup
ATL: RHP John Smoltz (2-1, 3.12 ERA)
Smoltz is 9-8 with a 3.06 ERA in 31 career appearances (19 starts) at Shea Stadium.
NYM: LHP Tom Glavine (3-1, 2.70 ERA)
Glavine is 30-27 with a 3.42 ERA in 81 career starts at Shea.
Player to watch
Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado has hit .345 (10-for-29) with four homers in his career against Smoltz.
Braves vs Mets Game 2, Glavine v Smoltz
This should be good! Glavine v Smoltz. It doesn't get any better than this! 2 Hall of Famers battle as the Braves look to rebound.
Smoltz set for first home start
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
When Tom Glavine opposes John Smoltz at Turner Field on Saturday afternoon, the two will share an opportunity that will surely be discussed during a future round of golf.
Any time the Braves and Mets meet there's a sense of excitement. But adding to the intrigue of this divisional matchup, will be the battle between these two veteran hurlers, who are two of the most recognizable figures in Braves franchise history.
"It should be an epic battle between two contrasting styles and two contrasting teams," Braves third baseman Chipper Jones said. "You've got the bombers with the finesser on the mound. We're more of the small-ball type team with the nasty guy on the mound. It's going to be an interesting matchup."
Since they joined forces on the Atlanta pitching staff back in 1988, Smoltz and Glavine have formed a strong friendship that has endured the test of time and separation. As they wind down their careers, both veteran hurlers know this could be the last time they get to oppose each other.
"When it's John, I hope I just win," said Glavine, who ended a 16-season career in Atlanta when he joined the Mets in 2003. "[Winning] 4-1 would be OK with me. Knowing him, he's probably thinking 2-1 or 1-0. But I prefer a little cushion."
With the potent Mets offense, Glavine definitely has a chance to gain some cushion in Saturday afternoon's matchup against the Braves. New York has a lineup that Smoltz and many others view as being the National League's most potent.
The Mets flexed their muscles on Friday night and claimed a series-opening win that allowed them to maintain their perfect record. The loss was the first for the Braves, who opened the season with a three-game series sweep in Philadelphia.
During their only previous head-to-head matchup, both of these pitchers impressed. On July 15, 2005, at Shea Stadium, both of them allowed one run in seven innings. But Smoltz emerged the victor, while Glavine got a no-decision.
When Glavine first joined the Mets, he struggled mightily against the Braves, going 1-8 with a 6.93 ERA in his first 11 starts against them. But in the six starts that have followed, he's 2-1 with a 2.11 ERA against them.
Glavine started this season by throwing six scoreless innings and getting the win against the defending World Series champion Cardinals. As for Smoltz, his strong Opening Day start was marred when he allowed a pair of sixth inning runs and got a no-decision against the Phillies.
Pitching matchup
NYM: LHP Tom Glavine, 1-0, 1.50 ERA
Is 3-9 with a 5.86 ERA in 15 career starts against the Braves.
ATL: RHP John Smoltz, 0-0, 4.50 ERA
Went 2-2 with a 2.33 ERA against the Mets in 2006.
Players to watch
Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado has batted .346 (9-for-26) and belted four homers in his career against Smoltz.
MLB Predictions
Alright, here are my picks for the season...
AMERICAN LEAGUE
East - Yankees
Central - Tigers
West - Angels
Wild Card - Red Sox
MVP - Alex Rodriguez
Cy Young - Johan Santana
Rookie of the Year - Alex Gordon
NATIONAL LEAGUE
East - Braves
Central - Cardinals
West - Padres
Wild Card - Mets
MVP - Albert Pujols
Cy Young - John Smoltz
Rookie of the Year - Chris Young
WORLD SERIES
Braves over Red Sox
Smoltzi
Pitching pretty decent through 5 innings so far.
1 ER
3 H
7 K
:EDIT:
Final Line
Pitchers IP H R ER BB SO HR PC-ST ERA
J Smoltz 6.0 3 1 1 2 8 1 98-60 3.72
Smoltz V Pedro Tomorrow
Game 4 of the Season Series (Braves lead 2-1)
Smoltz to face Pedro in opener
04/26/2006 7:30 PM ET
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
Pedro Martinez has been in the National League East for just a little more than a full season, and already he and John Smoltz have gotten to know each other real well. The two potential Hall of Fame hurlers will face each other again when the Braves and Mets begin a three-game series at Turner Field on Friday night.
The Braves will be looking to rebound from their just-completed eight-game road trip, during which they recorded just three wins. Two of those victories came against the first-place Mets, who enter this series with a five-game advantage over Atlanta.
"I think this is exactly what we need," Marcus Giles said. "I think we need a bit of a challenge, something to maybe spark us and something to get us going. This game is all about momentum, and right now we don't have it."
This will be the first time Martinez and Smoltz have faced each other this season. They both split the four decisions they received in the four starts they made against each other last year.
Smoltz posted a 2.57 ERA in those four games and Martinez was just slightly better with a 1.95 ERA.
While another matchup against Martinez is certainly intriguing, Smoltz has other things on his mind.
"I'm just looking forward to pitching in some warm weather," Smoltz said. "I'm looking forward to not having to blow on my hands anymore."
Within the span of his first four starts, Smoltz has made three of them while pitching in less than enviable weather conditions. His only warm-weather start came in Atlanta on April 15, when he tossed a four-hit shutout against the Padres.
This will be Martinez's second start of the season against the Braves. The veteran right-hander, who has won each of his first four starts, allowed them three earned runs in 6 2/3 innings on April 17. The effort was good enough for him to record his 200th career victory.
Martinez will be facing a little different lineup than he did last week at Shea Stadium. It will include Edgar Renteria and Chipper Jones, who both missed last week's series against the Mets because of injury.
"It will be fun," Jeff Francoeur said. "We'll have everybody back Friday night against Pedro and we'll have Smoltzie going. That's the team we want to have out there."
Pitching matchup
ATL: RHP John Smoltz (1-1, 4.15 ERA)
Went 3-2 with a 2.31 ERA in five starts against the Mets last year.
NYM: RHP Pedro Martinez (4-0, 3.04 ERA)
Tossed two complete games and went 3-2 with a 1.95 ERA against the Braves last year.
Player to watch
Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado has seven hits, including three homers, in 14 career at-bats against Smoltz.
Braves so far..
okay
so Braves are 3-3 after six
They have scored 48 runs
They have allowed 47 runs
TEAM Batting Stats
11 Home Runs (3rd in MLB)
28 Walks (3rd in MLB)
63 Hits (1st in MLB)
.292 AVG
.372 OBP
.500 SLG
So the offense is there.
but
the starting pitching is getting beat up
TEAM Pitching Stats
7.76 ERA (2nd worst in MLB)
1.88 WHIP (walks and hits per inning-- 3rd worst in MLB)
Allowing 65 Hits (worst in MLB) & .401 OBA (4th worst)
47 Runs (worst in MLB)
44 Earned Runs (worst)
only 3 Home Runs actually, which is the 2nd lowest amount..
so once the pitching relaxes like it will, i have pretty good faith in a good run this year!
Atlanta Braves first base coach Glenn Hubbard looks on as seagulls circle the field at AT&T Park during the eighth inning of their baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Friday April 7, 2006. Atlanta won the game, 14-6, which was delayed nearly two hours because of rain.(AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz walks off the pitcher's mound at the start of a rain delay during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, April 4, 2006, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Atlanta Braves' Andruw Jones, right, is greeted by teammates Chipper Jones, left, and Edgar Renteria after he hit a three-run homer off Dodgers pitcher Derek Lowe in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles on Monday, April 3, 2006.(AP Photo/Francis Specker)
Atlanta Braves' Adam LaRoche, left, is greeted at home plate by teammates Andruw Jones, center, and Jeff Francoeur after LaRoche hit a three-run homer off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Derek Lowe in the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles on Monday, April 3, 2006.(AP Photo/Francis Specker)
Atlanta Braves' Tim Hudson pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles on Monday, April 3, 2006.(AP Photo/Francis Specker)
BRAVOS!
Andruw Jones leads the majors with 24 home runs!!
Johnny "Blackbeard" Smoltzie pitched his second consecutive complete game and shut the o's to 1 run.
East W L PCT GB HOME ROAD EAST CENT WEST AL L10 STRK
Washington 44 31 .587 - 26-10 18-21 16-13 8-8 8-4 12-6 6-4 L1
Atlanta 41 34 .547 3.0 24-12 17-22 20-15 11-5 3-6 7-8 8-2 W3
Florida 38 34 .528 4.5 21-15 17-19 16-18 7-6 5-5 10-5 6-4 W4
Philadelphia 39 37 .513 5.5 23-16 16-21 13-20 12-7 7-2 7-8 3-7 L4
New York 37 38 .493 7.0 22-15 15-23 17-16 11-10 4-2 5-10 5-5 L1
Wild Card Standings
Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD EAST CENT WEST AL L10 STRK
Atlanta 41 34 .547 - 24-12 17-22 20-15 11-5 3-6 7-8 8-2 W3
Florida 38 34 .528 1.5 21-15 17-19 16-18 7-6 5-5 10-5 6-4 W4
Chicago 38 36 .514 2.5 19-17 19-19 5-7 16-14 11-6 6-9 4-6 W2
Philadelphia 39 37 .513 2.5 23-16 16-21 13-20 12-7 7-2 7-8 3-7 L4
Arizona 39 38 .506 3.0 20-17 19-21 4-9 5-5 22-14 8-10 4-6 W1
New York 37 38 .493 4.0 22-15 15-23 17-16 11-10 4-2 5-10 5-5 L1
Los Angeles 35 40 .467 6.0 19-17 16-23 3-6 8-8 19-13 5-13 2-8 L3
Milwaukee 35 40 .467 6.0 21-15 14-25 4-9 16-16 7-8 8-7 6-4 L1
Pittsburgh 34 40 .459 6.5 17-19 17-21 6-4 14-21 9-8 5-7 4-6 W1
Houston 33 40 .452 7.0 24-13 9-27 4-11 16-17 6-4 7-8 7-3 W1
San Francisco 30 44 .405 10.5 17-22 13-22 2-7 7-6 15-19 6-12 3-7 L4
Cincinnati 30 45 .400 11.0 23-19 7-26 10-10 11-20 2-7 7-8 4-6 L2
Colorado 25 48 .342 15.0 20-17 5-31 4-5 7-13 8-21 6-9 4-6 W3
Here comes Johnny
Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz tosses the ball around the outfield during a spring training workout for Braves pitchers and catchers, Friday, Feb. 20, 2004 , in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)