Frenchy vs Church
Over the Weekend comparison between Frenchy and Church... I guess Frenchy's numbers overal are slightly better.... but in the end the Braves took 3 out of 4 and that's all that matters.
Francoeur (Now a Met)
3-15 3 rbi 2 k
Church (Now a Brave)
2-8 2 runs 4 walks 1 k
Braves and Mets in 2009
Braves scored 5 unearned runs last night to win the game. Lowe out pitches Santana even though Santana still didn't earn any runs against. I still think Lowe was taken out early. Thank you Jose Reyes for booting a easy out to keep the Braves inning alive. Thank you to Manuel for leaving Feliciano in the game to face Diaz. Thank you Diaz and Kotchman for bringing in those 4 runs. And kudos to the bullpen for not blowing it. Braves snap Mets 7 game win streak. 2 more games in the series. Tonight and tomorrow afternoon. Good stuff. Baseball is good. Even better when the Braves put together a few wins in a row. They've won 5 out of their last 6. All against division opponents. Way to be.
Looked this up earlier, adding it now since I always seem to have to google it everytime it comes up.
Head to Head since 2005.
Braves vs Mets
2008- Braves 11-7
2007- Tied 9-9
2006- Mets 11-7
2005- Braves 13-6
2004- Braves 12-7
Braves 52-40
Wow..
This METS/BRAVES series must be real tough for you Mets fans out there to swallow.
Game 9 tonight!
Braves vs Mets, Let’s play two!
Should be a couple good games.... maybe i should have stayed home to watch them!
Game 1
NYM: J. Maine (5-2, 2.81)
ATL: T. Glavine (1-1, 4.41)
Game 2
NYM: C. Vargas (0-1, 2.84)
ATL: J. Campillo (0-0, 1.27)
For full topic discussion visit the already in progress discussion HERE
> We'll be waiting for you there Mr. Met
Braves sweep Mets.
As if on cue, the Braves retaliate against themselves and their weak efforts against the Pirates to reverse the course and sweep the Mets out of town. Friday night's game was rained out, but unfortunately for the Mets, Saturday and Sunday games were played.
The Bats woke up to defend home field on Saturday. Kelly "The Natural" Johnson got healthy in a big way with a Grand Slam pinch hit home run that sent the Mets to the showers quick.
The Smoltz vs Santana matchup was as advertised. Smoltz left after five and the bullpen pitched fantastic. The Mets saved themselves from being blanked in the scoreboards with a run by DWright in the 9th. Mark Teixeira provided an insurance 2 run home run in the top of the 9th and snagged a bullet down the first base line for our number 27 in the bottom of the ninth. Ballgame.
Braves start the weekend in last, and end the weekend tied for first. A trip to Colorado is up next. Braves return to Shea on April 25th.
I’m jumping ship…
The Braves have the worst record in baseball.
Clearly they are not very good.
So guess what kids...
THE METS are my new favorite team.
I just love Jose Reyes and David Wright.
Pedro is my favorite pitcher from this era.
Johan is my favorite pitcher of any era.
Willee Randolph always makes the right moves.
I just love when Billy Wagner comes in and finishes the game.
I support Carlos Delgado and his desires to stand or not stand for the pledge of allegiance.
Beltran is the greatest post season player in the history of the MLB.
Can't wait til Mosies Alou gets healthy.
John Maine is an all star pitcher this year.
Clearly there is no choice but to cut my loses now and ride the Mets wagon of joy forever and ever from here on out until we (the mets) win multiple world series championships and I can die in peace.
I'm sad this is the last year of Shea Stadium.
I'm quitting my job and buying season tickets ASAP.. I'm moving to Queens even. I'll live on a bench outside the stadium and sell hot dogs during the day to make money.
It's the only choice I have.
Come on up and meet the METS!
The Amazings!
Cheers to blowing a 7 game lead with 2 weeks to go!
see you on the golf course :)
Sweet Solice for 2bs.com
THE METS AREN'T EVEN GOING TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
How you like them apples now?
Braves-Mets. One more time.
Braves crushed the Mets last night 13-5 to bring everything back to reality. Thankfully even if they lose, they'll at worst be tied for the season series. This isn't completely acceptable, but a losing record would be unacceptable. Now for a preview of the final game of the season series...
Braves banking on Smoltz to deliver
By Jeff Lutz / MLB.com
The Braves took out their recent frustrations with a 13-5 win over the Mets on Tuesday, a run total that represented Atlanta's most against New York since Sept. 27, 2006.
One win hasn't often turned into a streak for the Braves this season, but they need several more to improve their playoff chances.
After Tuesday's win, the Braves sat five games out in the race for the National League Wild Card, though they're still behind five teams.
Before Tuesday, the Braves had lost four in a row and five of their past six games against the Mets, the factor largely responsible for their position in the NL East, trailing New York by 8 1/2 games.
"It was nice to get a win like this," Atlanta right fielder Jeff Francoeur said. "Now we've got to get a bunch more."
Before the Braves can even think about the NL Wild Card, however, they need to catch the Phillies for second place in the East. The Phillies' loss to the Rockies on Tuesday put the Braves 2 1/2 behind for second place.
John Smoltz starts for the Braves in the series finale against the Mets on Wednesday night at Shea Stadium. Smoltz's presence on the mound means that he'll have to be at his best to win -- he hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of his 13 wins this season.
Atlanta's elimination number in the NL Wild Card is 15. That number means any combination of Braves losses and wins by the Padres, who lead the standings, will send Atlanta home for the second straight October.
It's a long shot, but Atlanta is still holding on to the slimmest of hopes.
"We've got to reel off some wins," manager Bobby Cox said. "There's no reason to throw in the towel."
Pitching matchup
ATL: RHP John Smoltz (13-7, 3.02 ERA)
Since July 18, Smoltz is 4-2 in 11 starts with a 2.96 ERA. His numbers during that stretch indicate that he should have a better record. In his five no-decisions, Smoltz hasn't allowed more than three runs.
NYM: RHP John Maine (14-9, 3.80 ERA)
Maine beat the Braves on Aug. 31 in the first game of a series that turned into a three-game sweep by the Mets. Since winning his 10th game on July 5, Maine is just 4-5 with a 5.86 ERA.
Player to watch
Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson has two hits, including a triple, in five career at-bats against Maine.
Braves vs Mets…. again
So the season series with the Mets is completely tied up at 8-8 after the Braves have dropped 4 in a row. All that's left for salvation with this season is winning this game and hopefully the next game vs the Mets to at least keep it even. I am already mailing in this season and looking forward to next year. Braves need 2 new starting pitchers, a healthy Dotel and Gonzalez in the bullpen, and a new center fielder that can hit for average. So.... good luck.
Time is of the essence for Braves
By Jeff Lutz / MLB.com
The Braves stayed afloat in the National League East in the middle of the season because of their success against the first-place Mets. Atlanta's downfall in the standings can be attributed to their recent struggles against New York.
Atlanta won seven of the first nine games against the Mets this season, a record that helped the Braves never fall more than 4 1/2 games out of first place before Aug. 18.
But with their win on Monday in the first game of a three-game set at Shea Stadium, the Mets have now won five of the past six contests against the Braves, and Atlanta sits 9 1/2 games behind New York in the NL East and five games out of the NL Wild Card standings.
Offensive deficiencies have kept the Braves from repeating their early-season success against New York. In the past four games, all Mets wins, the Braves have scored just six total runs.
It certainly didn't help that on Monday the Braves were without sluggers Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones. Chipper strained his right oblique during batting practice, and Andruw was scratched from the lineup because of an illness.
"The last four games against the Mets, we've averaged just a shade over one run a game," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "You're not going to win a bunch of them scoring less than two runs."
Even though Atlanta's chances to win the NL East are all but fading, the Braves still have a chance to make up ground on the four teams they're trailing for the NL Wild Card. Many of those teams were idle on Monday, but the Braves missed their opportunity to make up at least half a game.
Instead, the Braves are looking at missing the postseason for the second straight year, a dubious fate they hadn't reached previously since 1989-90. Atlanta isn't giving up hope, though.
"We're not giving up," Cox said. "We know we have to win, and that's the only way we can look at it now."
Pitching matchup
ATL: RHP Buddy Carlyle (8-6, 5.21 ERA)
Carlye exited after just 1 2/3 innings and 45 pitches in his start against the Philies on Sept. 4, the shortest start of his career. Since Aug. 12, Carlyle is 1-3 in five starts with an 8.57 ERA.
NYM: RHP Orlando Hernandez (9-4, 3.32 ERA)
Hernandez hasn't lost since July 4, and he returns to the rotation after missing with a start with a right foot injury. In 10 starts since Independence Day, El Duque is 5-0 with a 3.45 ERA.
Player to watch
Both Joneses are the only Braves with any extended success against Herandez, but their status for Tuesday is uncertain. Second baseman Kelly Johnson has two hits, including a homer, in five career at-bats against El Duque.
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 vs Mets Game 14
James makes return against rival Mets
By Jeff Lutz / MLB.com
The return of left-hander Chuck James couldn't come soon enough for the Braves, who have had a tough time finding production from the back end of the rotation during the last month.
James will be activated from the disabled list to start on Saturday against the Mets. James was put on the disabled list on Aug. 21 with shoulder soreness, but the Braves could sure use his healthy left arm.
Atlanta got just three wins in August from starters other than Tim Hudson and John Smoltz, and all three came from Buddy Carlyle. James had his hand in the problems, going 0-1 in three August starts with an 8.59 ERA.
The Braves need James to return to his July form. In that month, he was 2-1 in five starts with a 2.48 ERA, and from June 29-July 25, he had a 1.47 ERA.
Rookie right-hander Mike Pelfrey will start for the Mets, looking for his first win since he won his first two big league starts in July 2006. Pelfrey is 0-7 with the Mets this season and has also struggled in Triple-A, going 3-6 with a 4.01 ERA with New Orleans.
Pitching matchup
ATL: LHP Chuck James (9-9, 4.22 ERA)
James hasn't won since July 31, when he turned in five innings of four-run ball at home against the Astros. His activation from the disabled list, coupled with the roster expansion, will mean that rookie left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes will spend the final month of the season in Atlanta's bullpen.
NYM: RHP Mike Pelfrey (0-7, 5.92 ERA)
Pelfrey got the nod in place of Brian Lawrence over Philip Humber, who doesn't have a Major League start under his belt and whose only two career appearances came last season. Pelfrey last started with the Mets in the second game of a doubleheader against Washington on July 28, picking up a no-decision while allowing three runs in six innings.
Player to watch
Mets second baseman Jose Reyes has five hits in nine career at-bats against James, including a home run and a double.
Braves vs Mets
Yeah boys!
Time for another series against the Mets! The most exciting time we have covering baseball around here. Mets have lost 5 in a row. Braves have pitter-puttered. Phillies have won 5 in a row.
The current NL East standings shake out like this.
Mets 73-60 .549 -
Phils 71-62 .534 2.0
Braves 69-65 .515 4.5
So the Braves still have their work cut out for them. Anything is possible. Sweeping the Mets will probably land the Phillies in first by the end of the weekend. There is still about 5 weeks left in the season. It is basically September so it's showtime now. If the Braves 3-4-5 starters can get quality starts 60% of the time and Hudson and Smoltz keep holding it down, we should be able to wrap up the season nicely. A lot depends of course.
I'm sure Mr.Met has a different opinion on this matter, but he doesn't have much to say when it comes to the Mets' 4-8 record vs the Braves this season or the fact that they have lost 5 in a row. But I know exactly what he will say and it will most likely have the name PEDRO attached to it... HA! Exactly, Pedro. 'Nuff said.
Now for a preview of tonights matchup of Hudson vs Maine from Braves.com...
Hudson on hill to open crucial Mets set
By Tom Keller / MLB.com
It might not be now or never for Atlanta, but it's getting close.
With a frustrating 10-game road trip in their rear-view mirror, the Braves return to Turner Field on Friday to begin a critical three-game set with the National League East-leading Mets. Atlanta finds itself in third place behind New York entering the weekend, meaning that the Braves likely will need to take at least two of three to stay within striking distance in the division.
"We've got to win some games, it's as simple as that," manager Bobby Cox said. "There's no magic formula. If we win, we know we're doing something right."
The Braves will pin their hopes for the opener on Tim Hudson, who has already beaten the Mets twice this season. The right-hander has allowed three runs and 14 hits in 14 innings against New York, and he's 9-1 in his last 10 decisions overall. He has lasted at least six innings in all but five of his 28 starts this season.
The Braves will hope for a repeat performance against Mets starter John Maine, who allowed six runs in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to Atlanta earlier this month. Maine is 1-3 with a 7.77 ERA in five August starts.
These two teams have played four series so far this season, with Atlanta taking two of three each time. A similar result would go a long way in propelling the Braves' playoff bid.
"We've got one month left," John Smoltz said. "We've just got to find a way."
Pitching matchup
NYM: RHP John Maine (13-8, 3.68 ERA)
The Dodgers tagged Maine for six runs on Sunday, though few of their nine hits were particularly hard ones. An error, a bunt single and several bloops created the bulk of the offense, and three of Maine's six runs were unearned. All that led to a high pitch count. Maine lost in his previous start against the Braves this year, also allowing six runs.
ATL: RHP Tim Hudson (15-6, 3.23 ERA)
Hudson had a string of nine straight wins snapped when he lost to the Cardinals his last time out. He allowed five runs -- his highest mark in nine starts -- on nine hits in five innings. Hudson is 7-2 with a 3.39 ERA against the Mets in 10 career meetings with them.
Player to watch
Mets left fielder Moises Alou has four hits in six at-bats against Hudson this season. He has hit safely in 17 of his last 18 games.
Braves Win!
Braves take Game 3 and win another series against the METS. It's going to be an exciting end to the season that's for sure.
Braves v Mets, Hudson v Maine
Another strong matchup in series finale
By Jeff Lutz / MLB.com
The importance of the series between the Braves and Mets may take a backseat to the pitching matchup being offered in the series finale Thursday afternoon at Shea Stadium.
New York's John Maine and Atlanta's Tim Hudson each stared the season on fire, combining to go 7-0 in April while establishing themselves as early National League Cy Young Award candidates. Neither has done anything to lessen his chances for the honor, especially Hudson, who is enjoying possibly the best five-start stretch of his career.
Since taking a no-decision in a rough outing against the Dodgers on July 5, Hudson is 4-0 with a 0.98 ERA. He hasn't allowed a home run during his last five outings and has allowed opposing batters to hit just 1.98 while striking out 23 with eight walks in 36 2/3 innings.
Hudson's best previous five-start stretch is tough to choose, but it probably came Aug. 28-Sept. 21, 2000, when he was with Oakland. During that stretch, part of a seven-start winning streak, Hudson went 5-0 with a 1.17 ERA in 38 1/3 innings. He held opponents to a .164 batting average and didn't allow a homer while walking eight and striking out 29.
Maine has been a reliable innings-eater for the Mets, but he has also shown magnificent quality while often pitching deep into games. Though he has struggled at times recently, Maine's last seven decisions have netted him a 5-2 record with a 3.58 ERA.
Pitching matchup
ATL: RHP Tim Hudson (12-5, 2.95 ERA)
Hudson has surrendered just one home run in his last 88 1/3 innings. He allowed eight long balls in 2004, his final season with Oakland, but 45 in his first two years with the Braves. Against the Mets during his career, Hudson is 6-2 in nine starts with a 3.29 ERA and one complete game, which came at New York on April 19 last season.
NYM: RHP John Maine (12-6, 3.27 ERA)
After pitching at least seven innings in four straight starts from June 18-July 5, Maine has been unable to reach that threshhold in four of his last five outings. He lasted a season-low 2 2/3 innings in a loss to the Cubs on Saturday. Maine has never faced the Braves.
Player to watch
In 15 games at Shea Stadium, Atlanta catcher Brian McCann owns a career .321 batting average with six doubles, a homer and nine RBIs.
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)
Braves, Mets renew series!
Carlyle ready to take on Perez, Mets
By Guy Curtright / Special to MLB.com
The Braves have a 6-3 record against the Mets this season, but the pitcher they haven't been able to beat will start the opener of the crucial three-game series at Shea Stadium.
Oliver Perez is 3-0 against Atlanta, posting a 1.31 ERA while gaining the only victory for the Mets in each of the three series against the Braves this year.
Facing Perez (10-7) in Tuesday night's opener isn't the easiest way to begin a crucial six-game road trip for Atlanta, which then will head to Philadelphia for the weekend.
The Braves are chasing the Mets in the National League East, with the Phillies right there in the race as well.
First baseman Mark Teixeira, acquired in a blockbuster trade from Texas at Tuesday's non-waiver deadline, is just happy to be in a pennant race. They were rare with the Rangers.
"I'm excited," said Teixeira, who has never played at Shea Stadium. "There's nothing better than a packed house, whether the fans are booing or cheering.
"We've got some ground to make up and this is our chance."
Neither the Braves nor the Mets are at full strength. Atlanta is without shortstop Edgar Renteria (ankle) and New York is missing center fielder Carlos Beltran (oblique).
Braves center fielder Andruw Jones is expected play, but he missed the past two games after needing a cortisone shot in his left elbow.
Perez is 5-3 with a 2.87 ERA in nine career starts against Atlanta and the Braves have struggled after left-handers this season, going 21-27.
The Braves and Mets haven't played since late May, when Atlanta took two of three at Turner Field.
Pitching matchup
ATL: RHP Buddy Carlyle (6-3, 4.20 ERA)
Carlyle had to leave a victory over Houston after five innings Wednesday when he hyperextended his right elbow while batting. He has won five of his past six decisions and is 3-1 with a 3.65 ERA since the All-Star break. This will be his first start against the Mets.
NYM: LHP Oliver Perez (10-7, 3.00 ERA)
Perez, who usually battles control issues, struck out 20 and walked just two over 20 2/3 innings in his three victories against the Braves this season. He allowed 18 hits. Chipper Jones has had the most career success against Perez, hitting .400 (6-for-15) with a home run.
Player to watch
Chipper Jones was 4-for-12 with two doubles and a homer in the Braves' April series in New York, continuing his career-long success at Shea Stadium. In 80 games, he has a .304 average, 18 homers and 48 RBIs, giving Mets fans plenty of reason to taunt him.
Gameday Matchup
W-L NIGHT GRASS STK L10
ATL - 2nd NL East 59-53 42-36 59-50 W2 5-5
NYM - 1st NL East 63-48 44-32 63-48 W1 6-4
Season Series
Atlanta leads 6-3
Fri 4/6 NYM 11, @ATL 1 Recap
Sat 4/7 @ATL 5, NYM 3 Recap
Sun 4/8 @ATL 3, NYM 2 Recap
Fri 4/20 ATL 7, @NYM 3 Recap
Sat 4/21 @NYM 7, ATL 2 Recap
Sun 4/22 ATL 9, @NYM 6 Recap
Tue 5/22 @ATL 8, NYM 1 Recap
Wed 5/23 NYM 3, @ATL 0 Recap
Thu 5/24 @ATL 2, NYM 1 Recap
Aug 7, 2007 ATL (Carlyle) @ NYM (Perez) 7:10 PM ET
Aug 8, 2007 ATL (Smoltz) @ NYM (Lawrence) 7:10 PM ET
Aug 9, 2007 ATL (Hudson) @ NYM (Hernandez) 12:10 PM ET
Aug 31, 2007 NYM @ ATL 7:35 PM ET
Sep 1, 2007 NYM @ ATL 3:55 PM ET
Sep 2, 2007 NYM @ ATL 1:05 PM ET
Sep 10, 2007 ATL @ NYM 7:10 PM ET
Sep 11, 2007 ATL @ NYM 7:10 PM ET
Sep 12, 2007 ATL @ NYM 7:10 PM ET
Go Braves!
Salty cranks 2 home runs, the Braves rule, and the Mets suck..
Seriously -- has anything changed? No.
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.
Braves vs Mets Game 8
Braves are up 5-2 on the season series after pounding Jorge Sosa (as predicted). Let's get another!
James looks to rebound against Mets
By Jeff Lutz / MLB.com
The battle for first place in the National League East continues on Wednesday night as the Braves host the Mets in the second game of a three-game series at Turner Field. The Braves, losers of four of five games before Monday, took the series opener and sit 1 1/2 games behind division-leading New York.
Atlanta sends 25-year-old left-hander Chuck James to the mound. In his last outing, James did not earn a decision, allowing three earned runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings in Atlanta's 4-3 loss to Washington. James has pitched at least five innings in eight of his nine starts, but has pitched more than six just once.
"Chucky has been throwing well," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "His changeup has really been effective the past couple of games."
James has hit both extremes in his career starts against the Mets. Last September, James held the Mets to one hit in eight innings in the finest outing of his young career. In his only other two starts against the Mets, however, he has combined to allow 13 earned runs in 6 1/3 innings.
New York starting pitcher Oliver Perez is looking to stay hot, coming off consecutive wins in his two longest starts of the season. He pitched into the eighth inning on Friday in beating the Yankees, five days after allowing two hits and a run in 8 1/3 innings against the Brewers. Perez has found success despite dipping strikeout totals. In his last three starts he has fanned 11, compared with 28 strikeouts in his three prior outings.
Pitching matchup
ATL: LHP Chuck James (4-3, 4.15 ERA)
Wednesday's outing put James in a comfortable position -- he sports a career 7-3 record at Turner Field and is 12-5 with a 3.30 ERA in night starts.
NYM: LHP Oliver Perez (5-3, 2.90 ERA)
Perez has won back-to-back starts for the first time this season. He has beaten Atlanta twice this season, and pitched his only complete game of 2006 against the Braves last September.
Player to watch
New York shortstop Jose Reyes doubled and homered off James as part of a three-hit day in the Mets' 7-2 win over Atlanta at Shea Stadium on April 21.
Braves vs Mets Game 7
We're up 4 to 2 on the season series. We're down 2 and a half in the standings.. So let's just sweep em. We even get to hit off Jorge Sosa in game 1? Sweet. Mets are going down. Maybe Andruw Jones will actually not strike out for once.
Davies to get NL East battle started
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
Throughout the early portion of the season, the Braves have proven to be the only team capable of beating the Mets. Because of this, Atlanta enters its latest showdown against the National League East leaders with a definite sense of confidence.
"Any time you play in your division, it's going to be interesting," Andruw Jones said. "You want to play your best and always try to go out there and win the series."
The Braves took two out of three in the first two meetings between these two National League East rivals. Coming off a 10-game road trip in which they lost six of their last eight, the Braves enter this three-game set still within striking distance of the first-place Mets, who entered Sunday owning a 2 1/2-game advantage.
"We'll play them anytime we're supposed to," Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur said. "We look forward to it.
"They're a great team. They play hard, and they play fair. It will be a fun series, and hopefully we'll come out swinging."
Last week was a frustrating one for the Braves, who lost three of four to the last-place Nationals and then dropped two of three to the powerful Red Sox.
As for the Mets, they entered Sunday night's game against the Yankees having won 13 of their first 18 games in May. Two of the four losses they've endured against the Braves this year have come in games started by John Smoltz.
The marquee pitching matchup of the series will come on Thursday, when Smoltz and his good friend Tom Glavine match up against each other for the third time this season. Smoltz, who will be gunning for his 200th career win, has led the Braves to a victory in each of his three previous career matchups against Glavine.
Kyle Davies will oppose former Atlanta teammate Jorge Sosa in Tuesday night's series opener. One of Davies' finest outings this year came on April 8, when he limited the Mets to two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings.
After winning a career-high 13 games for the Braves in 2005, Sosa came down to earth last season. The Braves designated him for assignment in July, and a few days later traded him to the Cardinals. Since returning to the Majors with the Mets on May 5, the erratic right-hander has provided three solid starts, allowing two earned runs or less in each of them.
"He's a good pitcher," Jones said. "Just sometimes, he gets in trouble and doesn't use his head too much."
Pitching matchup
ATL: RHP Kyle Davies (1-2, 5.17 ERA)
If not for the four unearned runs he surrendered in the fifth inning of Wednesday night's game against the Nats, Davies would likely have won a second straight start. The right-hander has shown improved control in his past three outings, and he believes he has finally found a good feel for his changeup. Davies issued 11 walks and combined for just eight innings in his final two April starts. In his past three starts, Davies has totaled 18 1/3 innings and issued just six walks.
NYM: RHP Jorge Sosa (3-0, 2.25 ERA)
Sosa had his best start of the season on Wednesday against the Cubs, becoming the fifth pitcher in Mets history to win his first three starts with the club. He relied heavily on a quirky slider that has three different breaks, allowing just one hit in seven innings. Sosa will face his former team for the second time in his career, losing the first meeting despite allowing only one run in six frames.
Player to watch
Mets third baseman David Wright has overcome his early-season struggles that limited him to a .244 batting average and .311 slugging percentage in April. Entering Sunday, his May statistics included a .333 batting average, .681 slugging percentage and six homers.
Braves go up 4-2 on Mets
After winning another series against the Mets the Braves are still only up a half game? It's going to be a LONG GREAT Year!
EAST W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK L10
Atlanta 12 6 .667 - 6-4 6-2 86 79 Won 1 5-5
NY Mets 11 6 .647 .5 4-4 7-2 103 56 Lost 1 6-4
Florida 8 10 .444 4 5-6 3-4 99 97 Won 2 3-7
Philadelphia 6 11 .353 5.5 1-5 5-6 76 85 Won 2 5-5
Washington 6 13 .316 6.5 3-8 3-5 62 107 Lost 2 5-5
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.