BravesNuWorld || An Atlanta Braves Blog

Oh what might have become of the 2007 Atlanta Braves if they had had a healthy Mark Kotsay in center field instead of Andruw Jones, Mark Teixeira hitting behind Chipper Jones the entire year, and Jair Jurrjens throwing every 5th day instead of Chuck James…

But, no point in crying over spilt milk; it is 2008, and the Braves have gone on another win streak at home–four, so far–and are above .500 again. They dispatched of the struggling Padres tonight with another offensive onslaught, and the hottest hitter on the planet hit yet another ball over the wall in deep left center, elevating his average to an astounding .426. It is the third best start for a major league hitter in the last 50 years. The Padres changed their approach to pitching Chipper after that and didn’t throw another pitch anywhere near the strike zone. Incredibly, despite Chipper’s torrid hitting streak, most teams have been daring him to hit what they offer–some even double daring and double dog daring him. I’m not sure what dare comes next but he’d likely hit that one, too. Teixeira has been off to his habitual slow start and one would have to think that when he heats up, most teams won’t have the luxury of giving Chipper the Bondsian treatment.

The 2008 Atlanta Braves may boast their best offensive line-up ever from top to bottom, with Kotsay hitting .312 in the 7th spot.

The pitching obviously remains a concern. John Smoltz is on the DL, Tom Glavine looked all of his 42 years his last start, and Mike Hampton probably just dislocated his tongue during lunch. Rafael Soriano is still sore, Peter Moylan is out for the year, and Mike Gonzales isn’t back yet.

Yet.

When he returns–and all signs point to it happening soon–and Smoltz joins the pen to close the close games they have been squandering, the Braves might be in position to make a serious run for the playoffs. Certianly, they’d still need to pick up a quality starting pitcher at the trade deadline, but if that’s the only glaring necessity come July, they’d be doing markedly better than last year.

Ray K.–[BravesNuWorld]