4/5-4/8: Braves @ Phillies Series Preview

For the second year in a row, the Braves will be in the primetime spotlight for their opener. A night game followed by a day off is what's on tap for the Braves in their 2009 debut against the defending champion Phillies.

The Braves ended their exhibition season with a split series against the Tigers at Turner Field. With Kenshin Kawakami getting the start, the four starters are on their correct schedule as they enter a three-game set against the Phillies.

Cole Hamels will not be seen in the opening series due to elbow soreness that has pushed back his schedule this spring. For the second year in a row, Brett Myers will replace him as the opening starter.

(2008 stats are followed by player's stats against opposing team in 2008)

4/5 - 8:00
Derek Lowe (14-11, 3.24...6.1 IP, 3 ER)
vs.
Brett Myers (10-13, 4.55...8.2 IP, 10 ER)

Derek Lowe has not had much success as an opening day starter the past three years for the Dodgers. His last two starts of 2008 were against the Phillies in the NLCS, and both games resulted in losses for the Dodgers. He gave up two earned runs over five innings in each start. The Braves were Brett Myers' worst enemy in 2008, scoring 14 runs over two starts.

4/7 - 7:05
Jair Jurrjens (13-10, 3.68...27 IP, 10 ER)
vs.
Jamie Moyer (16-7, 3.71...11 IP, 8 ER)

Jair Jurrjens posted a 3.33 ERA over four starts against the Phillies last season. His positioning at number two in the rotation has surprised some, but his 2008 season proves him worthy. Jamie Moyer gave up eight runs in 11 innings against the Braves last season.

4/8 - 3:05
Javier Vazquez (12-16, 4.67)
vs.
Joe Blanton (9-12, 4.69...2 IP, 2 ER)

Javier Vazquez ended his outstanding spring on a rather rough note against the Tigers, but he is entering the 2009 season already in dominating form. Pitching for the White Sox, he did not see the Phillies lineup last year. Joe Blanton pitched just two innings against the Braves in 2008, giving up two runs.

Key Phillies Relievers:
Brad Lidge (1.95, 41 SV...10 IP, 7 ER)
Ryan Madson (3.05, 17 HLD...9.2 IP, 1 ER)
Chad Durbin (2.87, 17 HLD...10 IP, 1 ER)

Key Phillies Hitters:
Ryan Howard (.251, 48 HR, 146 RBI....352, 7 HR, 24 RBI)
Jimmy Rollins (.277, 11 HR, 59 RBI....286, 2 HR, 6 RBI)
Chase Utley (.292, 33 HR, 104 RBI....288, 3 HR, 11 RBI)

25-Man Roster Set

According to the official site, the Braves have completed their moves and the roster has been set for Sunday's opener in Philly.

The headliner is Jordan Schafer, who has been named the starting center fielder. Gregor Blanco was optioned to AAA. The other two issues: Jeff Bennett beat out Manny Acosta for the final bullpen spot and David Ross was placed on the 15-day DL, with Clint Sammons taking his spot.

Tom Glavine was placed on the DL to make room for an extra reliever. His spot will be skipped twice to start the season. Also, Eric O' Flaherty beat out Boone Logan for the lefty reliever spot.

Those who just lost out on a roster spot include Blanco, Logan, Acosta, Kris Medlen, and Brandon Jones.

25-Man Roster
Rotation:
1. Derek Lowe
2. Javier Vazquez
3. Jair Jurrjens
4. Kenshin Kawakami

Bullpen:
LR - Jorge Campillo
LR - Jeff Bennett
LR - Buddy Carlyle
MR - Eric O' Flaherty
MR - Blaine Boyer
MR - Peter Moylan
SU - Rafael Soriano
CL - Mike Gonzalez

Starters:
C - Brian McCann
1B - Casey Kotchman
2B - Kelly Johnson
3B - Chipper Jones
SS - Yunel Escobar
LF - Garret Anderson
CF - Jordan Schafer
RF - Jeff Francoeur

Bench:
C - Clint Sammons
UT - Martin Prado
UT - Omar Infante
UT - Greg Norton
OF - Matt Diaz

Disabled List:
Tom Glavine (15-Day, for roster room)
David Ross (15-Day, strained groin)

FantasyPros911.com Interview with Brian McCann

Kevin Orris at FantasyPros911.com has posted a great interview he did with Brian McCann. Below is the link to the full interview as well as a small sample from it. Check it out.

http://www.fantasypros911.com/my-interview-with-all-star-brian-mccann.html

Kevin Orris: In 2008, you developed a new batting stance during spring training. What changes did you make and how did it help your hitting?

Brian McCann: I am always tinkering with my swing. My dad and I work hard in the offseason, looking at film and just getting me comfortable. I got into my legs more, and I am always looking at my hips and hands. It is an ongoing process.

KO: How long does it take you to become comfortable with the type of pitches and pitching styles of new off-season acquisitions, such as Javier Vazquez and Derek Lowe?

BM: Lowe is sinker/cutter/breaking ball/changeup guy, so we will just work on rhythm, sequencing and spots. I'm going to get to see Javier early so we will get on the same page. I'll look at the game film, too, and get a feel for their style. But, it will mostly come as on the job training.

KO: How do you think the language barrier with Kenshin Kawakami will affect your communication and ability to work with him? Have you worked with many foreign pitchers before?

BM: I think he speaks better English than people think. We will be fine. I have worked with several Dominican and other Latin players that didn't speak much English. But, I don't anticipate this being an issue with KK.

Braves 2, Astros 1

Both the Braves and Astros showed just how tired they are of spring training, picking up a total of 17 hits between the two offenses, yet scoring a total of three runs in the game. The Braves were able to squeak by in the final spring game, 2-1.

Jair Jurrjens allowed one unearned run (Brian McCann passed ball) on five hits in four innings, not walking any and striking out one. Rafael Soriano, Peter Moylan, Eric O' Flaherty, Blaine Boyer, and Manny Acosta each pitched a scoreless inning.

Kelly Johnson recorded an RBI on a solo homer in the fourth. The deciding run came in the fifth on an RBI by Clint Sammons. Chipper Jones was the lone hitter with two hits. Jordan Schafer went 0-2 and Gregor Blanco walked in his only two at bats.

The Braves head home to Atlanta for a two-game exhibition series against the Tigers. Javier Vazquez and Tommy Hanson will start the games.

Thoughts: Nice to see Chipper raking right before the season starts. Jordan Schafer has dropped a little and Gregor Blanco has picked it up somewhat over the past week, but I don't think a single week will determine the starter for opening day. Not to mention he has been playing with the starters this last week.

This weekend will determine a few things as far as roster moves go. I think Schafer getting the starts with the regular starters this last week means he will be the starting center fielder on Sunday. That means Blanco is the odd man out unless Glavine or a reliever is placed on the DL to make room for both of them. Glavine will get skipped the first two times through the rotation anyway.

Both Soriano and Moylan appear ready for Sunday so no moves are expected there unless what I previously mentioned may happen. David Ross is still being watched and his status may not be decided until Sunday morning. Sammons will replace him if he must spend time on the DL.

Braves 9, Tigers 3

Three home runs helped back a solid performance by Tom Glavine, giving the Braves a 9-3 win over the Tigers.

The Braves scored five in the second to help spark a nine-run game for the offense. Casey Kotchman hit a two-run home run, and Chipper Jones and Clint Sammons hit a solo homer each. Yunel Escobar and Gregor Blanco each had two RBI. Matt Diaz also picked up an RBI. Escobar, Sammons, Blanco, and Omar Infante each had two hits.

Brian McCann returned as DH and went 1-4. Garret Anderson went 0-3. Jordan Schafer didn't play.

Glavine allowed three runs on seven hits in five innings, not walking any or striking out any. Jeff Bennett pitched a scoreless inning. Boone Logan gave up two hits and a walk but pitched a scoreless inning and two-thirds.

The Braves finish up their Grapefruit League season against the Astros on Thursday. Jair Jurrjens will start.

Thoughts: Tom Glavine had a successful spring, though it was only three starts. His arm will get plenty of rest to start the season since his spot in the rotation will get skipped twice. Boone Logan appeared to be shaky but he did induce four groundouts to one flyout and pitched out of trouble. Gregor Blanco took advantage of the start in center with a two-hit, two-RBI day. I feel if David Ross isn't ready for the season Clint Sammons will fill his position with ease. He has mashed in his limited at bats this spring.

Ross' status for the opener is still uncertain, and he will continue to be evaluated over the next few days. McCann is expected back behind the plate as early as Thursday.

Astros 8, Braves 3

The pitching staff struggled and the offense managed just three runs on a Chipper Jones home run as the Braves dropped Tuesday's game to the Astros, 8-3.

In his last start of the spring, Derek Lowe allowed three runs on five hits in four innings, not walking any and striking out two. Mike Gonzalez gave up a run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. Peter Moylan walked two and allowed a run in an inning. Kris Medlen allowed three runs on four hits in two innings of work.

The only offense on the Braves' side came from the bats of Jones and Garret Anderson. Jones recorded the only three RBI on a three-run home run off Russ Ortiz. Anderson picked up two hits, including a triple. Jordan Schafer went 0-3 and Gregor Blanco went 0-1 as a pinch hitter.

Tom Glavine looks to continue his scoreless streak of seven innings as he faces the Tigers today.

Thoughts: An overall ugly game. Derek Lowe was knocked around in his last spring start, as was the bullpen. Mike Gonzalez's rough spring continued, allowing a walk, two hits, and a run. Peter Moylan had his first rough outing of the spring. Kris Medlen's rough outing pretty much signals his outside shot of a bullpen spot is over.

David Ross strained his groin running to first base and will be re-evaluated today. If he isn't ready for the opener on Sunday, Clint Sammons will serve as his replacement. Brian McCann has been dinged up behind the plate over the past week but should return to the lineup today.

Braves Re-Sign Chipper

The Braves have come to an agreement with Chipper Jones on a three-year extension, virtually guaranteeing he will retire as a Brave.

Jones' current contract ran until the end of 2009, so it's great news to see this resolved before the season started. The deal is for three years at more than $40 million, with an option for 2013.

Last season, Jones was named the National League batting champion by hitting .364 in 128 games. He hasn't played more than 140 games since 2003, but his lowest average over the last three years is .324.

This move will also give the Braves a definite timetable on developing his replacement at third, which seems to be a concern at the present.

Braves 4, Red Sox 3 (10 Innings)

In the battle of Japanese stars, Kenshin Kawakami and Daisuke Matsuzaka had fairly even lines. The Braves were able to pull out the win in extras by the score of 4-3.

Kawakami allowed two runs (two-run homer by Rocco Baldelli) on four hits in six innings, walking two and striking out four. Manny Acosta struggled over two-thirds of an inning, allowing one run on three hits. Eric O' Flaherty struck out four of the six hitters he faced in a scoreless inning and a third. Mike Gonzalez struck out the side in an inning of work.

The Braves managed just two hits and two runs off Matsuzaka over five innings. Garret Anderson had two hits and an RBI, as did Martin Prado. Brooks Conrad provided the game-winning run on an RBI double in the tenth. Brian McCann picked up a double, Jeff Francoeur went 1-3 with two strikeouts, and Jordan Schafer went 0-2.

Derek Lowe will make his final Spring start Tuesday night against the Astros. He will be the starter for the Braves on both Opening Day and the home opener.

Thoughts: Eric O' Flaherty has had two consecutive solid outings. It appears the grumblings around camp woke both he and Boone Logan up. Garret Anderson picking up two hits and an RBI in only his third game is great to see. Also great to see is Mike Gonzalez striking out the side.

News on the Josh Anderson trade is below.

Braves Trade Josh Anderson to Tigers

With the emergence of Jordan Schafer as the center fielder of not only the future, but for right now, the Braves parted ways with Josh Anderson today. In an exchange with the Tigers, the Braves received minor league pitcher Rudy Darrow.

After spending most of last season in Richmond as the starting center fielder and leadoff hitter, Anderson was called up and participated in 40 games in Atlanta near the end of the season. He stole a combined 52 bases between the two levels, but he struck out 33 times in the short amount of time in Atlanta.

Anderson entered 2009 out of options and the favorite to win the center field job for the Braves. But his play was overshadowed by Schafer, who ultimately stole the starting spot after not being entirely considered for the job to begin this Spring.

In return for Anderson, the Braves received Darrow, a 5-10 sidearmer from Nicholls State who was drafted in the 32nd round in 2006. Darrow has had success in his two seasons of minor league ball, including a combined 2.02 ERA between high-A and AA in 2008. He has recorded solid k-rates in his short amount of time. He is 25 years old this season and should become a candidate for a major league job in the bullpen rather soon.

This move solidifies the opinion that I have been stating all Spring: 2009 is the beginning of Jordan Schafer's rule on center field in Atlanta.

Tigers 5, Braves 4

A three-run second inning by the Tigers led to a lead insurmountable for the Braves, resulting in a 5-4 loss.

Javier Vazquez bounced back from four runs in the first two innings to pitch four scoreless innings after, giving up a total of four runs on seven hits in six innings. He didn't walk any and struck out four. Blaine Boyer allowed the go-ahead run in the seventh on two hits. Jeff Bennett pitched a scoreless inning.

Jeff Francoeur picked up two RBI on a home run in the first inning. Casey Kotchman followed Francoeur's home run with a solo shot. David Ross also had an RBI. Jordan Schafer went 1-4 with two strikeouts. Garret Anderson went 0-3 with a walk and two strikeouts in his return. Josh Anderson went 0-3 with two strikeouts, and Gregor Blanco went hitless in one at bat.

The Braves and Red Sox square off on Monday, with Kenshin Kawakami and Daisuke Matsuzaka facing each other.

Thoughts: The offense was pretty dead today, so the center field debate didn't get any clearer after this one. Garret Anderson appeared to be rusty in his return, but hopefully his calf is well enough to allow him to get plenty at bats before the season starts. Casey Kotchman wasn't rusty in his return from the flu, hitting a home run in the first inning.