3/21 Braves vs tigers

[Braves1976]

Terrible pitch by Liriano to Tucker, good job by him not swinging at those first two and then getting that one and nailing it. I don't like Tucker vs lefties normally but that was a good AB. Hopefully his bat is good enough this year to make up for his bad defense. I always liked his power potential with the bat but his defense was so bad.

[salmagundy]

I thought so. The erratic calls from behind the plate has to be an Ump from the CB Bucknor School of Umpiring. It's the #1 Booby Cox hater, Laz Diaz.

[salmagundy]

In interview, Snitckers said Camago will open season on DL

[Braves1976]

Camargo to start the year on DL, sounds like they are leaning towards Ruiz at third. I disagree with that.

[salmagundy]

Just as Tucker made a fine diving catch on pop to shallow LF.

I'm not liking Ruiz as 3B starter. At least they won't call up Schimpf. Santana or Culberson would be my choices.

[mfree80]

Just as Tucker made a fine diving catch on pop to shallow LF.

I'm not liking Ruiz as 3B starter. At least they won't call up Schimpf. Santana or Culberson would be my choices.

My recollections of Santana at 3rd from last year were also kind of ugly. I would only use him there in a pinch.

[Braves1976]

Just as Tucker made a fine diving catch on pop to shallow LF.

I'm not liking Ruiz as 3B starter. At least they won't call up Schimpf. Santana or Culberson would be my choices.

The bad outfielders tend to have to dive a lot to make such plays, but that was much better than his break on the ball and dive in RF last week with Blair pitching (three run triple with two outs on a ball even Markakis likely catches). That said, Santana or Culberson would start at third for me too over Ruiz.

[Braves1976]

My recollections of Santana at 3rd from last year were also kind of ugly. I would only use him there in a pinch.

He wasn't that bad, 0.6 UZR/150 in only 23.2 innings with us. Nothing special but not what I'd call ugly.

[nsacpi]

I think both Santana and Ruiz are decent defensively at third. Not as good as Camargo though.

[Braves1976]

I think both Santana and Ruiz are decent defensively at third. Not as good as Camargo though.

I don't disagree, my issue with Ruiz at third isn't his defense though. No doubt Camargo is better than both on defense. Camargo is quite good at third on defense.

[Braves1976]

The Braves line-up almost looks like a AAA line-up minus Acuna and a few others. But once you add Acuna to it things could really click. Freeman has little protection minus Acuna.

[clvclv]

McCarthy looks really solid - if he and Julio can stay healthy (and camp hasn't been a mirage), this is certainly going to be a lot more fun than the last few.

Really liked Snitker's comment about not trying to "hide" Acuna down in the order once he's up. If Freddie's serious about being willing to give up his spot in the order, an Ender/Albies/Acuna/Freddie grouping could do LOTS of damage.

[thethe]

Lets say we live in a thethe world where McCarthy stays healthy all year and makes 32 starts.

Is it out of line to expect 3 WAR?

[thethe]

The Braves line-up almost looks like a AAA line-up minus Acuna and a few others. But once you add Acuna to it things could really click. Freeman has little protection minus Acuna.

Its all about Swanson. If he can reduce that strikeout rate while getting on base 35% of the time I think we could have an offense in the middle tier. I feel real good about Inciarte/Albies/Freeman/Acuna/flowuki/Camargo.

[clvclv]

Camargo to start the year on DL, sounds like they are leaning towards Ruiz at third. I disagree with that.

Would love to see Colon go north with the team given that scenario.

With no Johan and Gomez gone, it's going to be pretty interesting to see what decisions are made. Have to figure that creates the opening for one of Sanchez, Wisler, or Blair to slot in as a long-man with Kazmir.

[nsacpi]

Expecting a yuge season from Moylan.

[Braves1976]

Nice AB by Adams to walk, shows his great speed stealing second and good job by Tucker RBI single. They should be our platoon in LF IMO.

[chop2chip]

Lets say we live in a thethe world where McCarthy stays healthy all year and makes 32 starts.

Is it out of line to expect 3 WAR?

I don’t think there is much question McCarthy is a 3 WAR pitcher. The 32 starts thing ain’t happening though.

[salmagundy]

I hope the lack of inter action during tonight's game on this board doesn't reflect what the fans are going to do at Sun Trust Park. Staying away just because RA,Jr is in Gwinnett demonstrates how shallow Braves fans can be and have been. Maybe Dave Justice was right!

[thethe]

I hope the lack of inter action during tonight's game on this board doesn't reflect what the fans are going to do at Sun Trust Park. Staying away just because RA,Jr is in Gwinnett demonstrates how shallow Braves fans can be and have been. Maybe Dave Justice was right!

Its a ST game - I assure you that once the lights turn on for Sun Trust that its going to be a good year. Under the assumption that the Braves will be playing meaningful September games I could see them surpassing last years attendance by 100K.