Go, go, MATSUI
With a purposeful grimace and a terrible sound
He pulls the spitting high tension wires down
Helpless people on subway trains
Scream for God as he looks in on them
He picks up a bus and he throws it back down
As he wades through the buildings toward the center of town
Oh, no, they say he's got to go
Go, go, MATSUI
Oh, no, there goes Tokyo
Go, go, MATSUI
MATSUI
Rinji news o moshiagemasu
Rinji news o moshiagemasu
MATSUI ga Ginza hoomen e mukatte imasu
Daishkyu hinan shite kudasai
Daishkyu hinan shite kudasai
Oh, no, they say he's got to go
Go, go, MATSUI
Oh, no, there goes Tokyo
Go, go, MATSUI
MATSUI
History shows again and again
How nature points out the folly of men, MATSUI
History shows again and again
How nature points out the folly of men, MATSUI
History shows again and again
How nature points out the folly of men, MATSUI
History shows again and again
How nature points out the folly of men, MATSUI
CONGRATS to the NEW YORK YANKEES for winning their 27th World Series Championship and to Hideki Matsui for winning the MVP.
ortiz press conference
just watched the Papi press conference and found it very genuine and honest... ortiz admits he was careless with supplements and didn't always know exactly what he was taking, but is adamant that he never purchased or used steroids. the whole thing sounds VERY frustrating from his side of the story, he hears he's on a list, he calls up the union and they don't have the information. the tests the union performed in 2003 yielded 83 confirmed positive results, players were tested more than once. it's possible a player tested positive more than once. so 83 results doesn't exactly equal 83 players necessarily. supposedly there were 13 results that were inconclusive and possibly positive. The government raided the MLB Union several years ago and these results are sealed by court order. Somehow, someway the government has a list of 104 names that supposedly these are leaking from. so.. something is quite adding up.
i don't doubt that many players in 2003 and before (and even since) take supplements and were probably careless at one point during their career. big papi even said, it's not like he had 1 or 2 that he was taking, he's try anything.. and i believe him to a point where he was probably trying all sorts of different supplements. he even said after 2003 he's been tested 15 or more times and ever since he's been more careful about what he's taking he's been hitting the ball better and feeling better anyway.
so for what its worth, i can see how frustrating it's got to be to have your name be mentioned as possibly being on some list.. that may or may not be accurate to begin with.
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 vs Sox, Fenway Pics
Braves lost 3-0 to the Red Sox [Boxscore]. The game was a great pitching matchup between Lowe and Beckett and it did not disappoint. Beckett pitched a complete game shutout and got the best of the Braves. The game was over in 2 hours and 15 minutes. We had great seats, (Section 34 Row 9) directly behind the pitcher and pretty close to the center field cameras. I had a great time with Josh and Tom and look forward to encore appearances someday in the future. Here's a few shots I took during the game and sent to my twitter. But I'll share here too :)
Fenway Reprise.. Red Sox vs Braves Edition
so yeah.. going to FENWAY PAAAAAK for the second time this summer, first time to see a game... looking forward to it... the Red Sox will play the original team from Boston... the Beaneaters.. .in all there glory.. .Derek Lowe on the mound.. Chipper at Third.. McCann.. and the rest of the guys.. hey, watch your mcLouth.. Red sox have Beckett on the mound.. Not expecting a win.. but that would be sweet.. anyway!... go Braves!! looking forward to it.. look for "tweets" during the game.. of the action and all that.. shit.
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
MLB Predictions 2009
National League
East champ: Braves
Central champ: Cubs
West champ: Dodgers
Wild card: Mets
Champion: Cubs
Awards
MVP: David Wright
Cy Young: Tim Lincecum
Rookie of year: Jordan Schafer
Other
Breakout player: Yunel Escobar
Underrated player: Adrian Gonzalez
Dark-horse team: Reds
American League
East champ: Yankees
Central champ: Indians
West champ: Angels
Wild card: Rays
Champion: Yankees
Awards
MVP: Mark Teixeira
Cy Young: CC Sabathia
Rookie of year: David Price
Other
Breakout player: Chris Davis
Underrated player: Nick Markakis
Dark-horse team: Royals
Playoffs
NL: Cubs over Braves
AL: Yankees over Rays
World Series: Yankees over Cubs
Pitchers & Catchers Eve
here is a poem by Lucas Brown, titled Twas the Night before Spring Training:
Twas the night before Spring Training, when all through the clubhouse
Not a creature was stirring, except the managers.
The uniforms were hung in the lockers with care,
In hopes that the season soon would be there.The rookies were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of the Big League danced in their heads.
And Nuke in his garter, and Crash in his cap,
Had just been rewound before the players' nap.When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
Cy Young was the pitcher, and Babe Ruth was the batter.
Away to the window the players all flew,
To see the ghosts on the evening dew.Shoeless Joe was in left on that moonlit night,
Who was on second, oh wait, that's not right.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
Mighty Casey with a bat drawing near."Now Mickey! now, Willie! Now, Hammerin' Hank!
On, Harmon! On, Reggie! on, Maris and Frank!
To the top of the leader boards! to the top of the Hall!
Show the young rookies how to play ball!"They all admire the slugger named Roy
As he steps to the plate with his bat, Wonderboy.
They'll pass him on the street, a tip of the hat they will give,
'There goes the greatest player that ever lived."The rookies' eyes will twinkle in their first at-bat.
The veterans will calm them and give them a pat.
For it is only spring training with so much to do,
Preparation for a season, a career to pursue.The young ones will play their best through the spring,
With hopes of making the 40-man team.
They'll play their careers 'til they finally say,
"Tell them I'm through for love of the game."
Wow..
This METS/BRAVES series must be real tough for you Mets fans out there to swallow.
Game 9 tonight!
MLB 2008 Predictions
Alright, here are my picks for the season…
AMERICAN LEAGUE
East – Red Sox
Central – Tigers
West – Mariners
Wild Card – Indians
MVP - Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz
Cy Young – Justin Verlander, C.C. Sabathia
Rookie of the Year – Joba Chamberlain, Jacoby Ellsbury
NATIONAL LEAGUE
East – Braves
Central – Cubs
West – Diamondbacks
Wild Card – Mets
MVP - David Wright, Prince Fielder
Cy Young – Johan Santana, Jake Peavy
Rookie of the Year – Kosuke Fukudome, Geovany Soto
NLCS
Mets over Cubs
ALCS
Tigers over Red Sox
WORLD SERIES
Tigers over Mets
My AXA League Keeper Team
I think I have a pretty good team, drafted a week ago sunday. I dropped Jay Bruce (my last pick) and replaced him for Adam Jones... I just see Jones contributing sooner than Bruce. My infield is solid. We were allowed to keep 10 players from the previous season. This is the league's second year of existence.
C- Russell Martin
1B- Mark Teixeira, Ryan Garko
2B- Chase Utley, Plácido Polanco
SS- Jimmy Rollins
3B- David Wright, Aramis Ramírez, Alex Gordon
OF- Alfonso Soriano, Chris Young, Jeff Francoeur, Brad Hawpe, Adam Jones
SP- C.C. Sabathia, John Lackey, James Shields, Adam Wainwright, Matt Garza, Rich Harden, Ubaldo Jiménez, Yovani Gallardo (DL)
RP- J.J. Putz, Rafael Betancourt, Brian Wilson, CJ Wilson
Sign up now!
or MLB B-SMITH OPEN LEAGUE INVITE
http://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/b1
League ID#: 69036
Password: open
DO IT!
B SMITH HERE! SERVING UP ANOTHER PLATTER OF TODAYS HOT NEW THING!
ITS MY OPEN LEAGUE! OPEN TO ALL!
you are all welcome to join! first come first served
great fun! great times! and more
Baseball people heads up
Sign up soon for good fun
Maybe you have previously been in one of my OPEN LEAGUES (it's a four sport sport) or maybe you were in one of my other leagues..The truth is I've drastically reduced the number of leagues I run, and if you are up to the challenge and want to face off with some trouble then you found the right spot.. but thats the nature of the game.. its the b-smith open league, and thats how we roll
lets go..
otherwise and still even
SO DO IT!
SIGN UP FOR THE ANNUAL B-SMITH MLB OPEN LEAGUE DUDES
DO IT!
http://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/b1
In order to join the league, follow the link above or go to game front page, click the "Sign Up Now" or "Get Another Team" button and follow the links to "Join a Custom League". When prompted, enter the League ID# and password below.
League ID#: 69036
Password: open
Mitchell Report to be released @ 2pm
The big story of today will undoubtedly be the Mitchell Report this afternoon. Dozens of current and former players are expected to be named, and they won't all be scrubs.
Sources: Players, owners to share blame in Mitchell report
By T.J. Quinn and Mark Fainaru-Wada ESPN.com
Major League Baseball and the Players Association share the blame for tolerating a widespread culture of drug abuse, George Mitchell's report on doping in baseball says, according to two lawyers who said they are familiar with the report.
Both lawyers told ESPN that the report assigns blame for the rise of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball "from top to bottom," and recommends that MLB and the union agree to outsource their drug testing program to an independent agency.
The sources would not reveal the names of players included in the report, but confirmed that as many as 80 are listed. One lawyer expected several "very, very high-level names" to be exposed, although Mitchell is frank in the report about how difficult it was to get information regarding the extent of player use.
"He admits that he can only go back so far because of the lack of cooperation, but says it's more important to move ahead," one lawyer said.
Mitchell plans to release his report at 2 p.m. ET Thursday at a news conference in New York City.
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?
My MLB Keeper Team Update
My keeper team jumped up to first after months and months and months of holding onto third.. how you like them apples??...Trading away BONDERMAN for Teixeira was the biggest move I made this summer... This is the same team i traded away players like Otsuka for Willis then moved Willis and 2 others for Soriano. Kazmir Ibanez Lincecum, a few others were all pick ups..
Key Trades for Tough Gazabees
8-5-07 Jeremy Bonderman (Det - SP) to Holebeaters for Mark Teixeira (Atl - 1B)
6-19-07 Shane Victorino (Phi - OF), Rich Hill (ChC - SP), and Dontrelle Willis (Fla - SP) to Dodger Blue for Alfonso Soriano (ChC - OF)
Here's current lineup update (*denotes keeper)
My Keeper Team (I can keep 10)
C- *Martin
1b- *Teixeira
2b- *Utley
SS- *Rollins
3b- *Wright
OF- *Soriano, *Francoeur, Ibanez
Util- *ARamirez
BN- Hermida, Weeks, Chris Young
SP *CCSabathia, *Lackey, Lincecum, Kazmir, Wainwright
RP Putz, Saito, Valverde, Benoit
I have to keep ARAM over Lincecum figuring I will just draft pitchers higher than normal since my 10 keepers are like the shit!..
rock it
Go Braves Go!
Okay, so recent history has gone better when I don't post about this... but... I still have a tiny glimmer of hope left in the season. Mets are streaking downward and we start a big series with the Brewers tonight. Let's go Braves! Kick it up a notch!
2007 National League Standings
EAST W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK L10
NY Mets 84 67 .556 - 40-34 44-33 737 678 Won 1 4-6
Philadelphia 82 70 .539 2.5 43-32 39-38 841 785 Lost 1 7-3
Atlanta 79 73 .520 5.5 41-36 38-37 770 696 Won 4 6-4
Washington 68 84 .447 16.5 39-38 29-46 621 730 Lost 1 5-5
Florida 65 87 .428 19.5 32-42 33-45 736 833 Lost 4 4-6
2007 National League Wild Card Standings
NATIONAL W L Pct GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK L10
San Diego 84 67 .556 - 46-31 38-36 676 600 Won 6 7-3
Philadelphia 82 70 .539 2.5 43-32 39-38 841 785 Lost 1 7-3
Colorado 80 72 .526 4.5 47-30 33-42 789 721 Won 4 6-4
LA Dodgers 79 73 .520 5.5 41-34 38-39 692 659 Lost 4 4-6
Atlanta 79 73 .520 5.5 41-36 38-37 770 696 Won 4 6-4
Milwaukee 78 73 .517 6 47-27 31-46 741 724 Lost 1 6-4
On the other side of the coin, the Yankees are only 1.5 games back from the Red Sox.
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.