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BRAVES
Braves Top Nats In Battle For The East
The Braves domination of the Nationals continues, as their 3-0 shutout to start the four-game weekend series gives them six wins in seven games against them this season. Despite a major loss on the hill the pitching was tremendous in only allowing three hits. Atlanta needs much more consistency from the hill, but it is hard to when pitchers are going down left and right. It still feels good that we've beat the Nats (#Notitude) 22 out of 27 times since Aug. 22, 2012. Check out the photos from the game by clicking this link: http://www.ajc.com/gallery/sports/braves-floyd-fractures-elbow/gCLgN/#5405691
Gattis Extends Hit Streak To 18 Games
The most feared catcher in the game of baseball right now is absolutely having his way with opposing pitchers. Evan Gattis had two more hits yesterday and sits just four points below a .300 batting average for the season, which leads the team. He has now played in 161 games total in his career and has 37 home runs and 103 RBIs to show for it. El Oso Blanco is the man.
Since coming off the DL and making his first start in a Braves uniform, Gavin Floyd had been everything the team had hoped for when they signed him to a one year free agent deal. Maybe even better than what they were expecting. Last night in the midst of yet another remarkable outing he felt a pop in his elbow after delivering a curve ball to Jayson Werth that he drilled foul. The X-ray was a shock to all, as it showed he had suffered a fracture of the olecranon that is the prominent bone of the elbow joint. Floyd will most likely miss the rest of the season after going 2-2 with a 2.65 in his new uniform.
Craig Kimbrel may not be the hardest throwing reliever on the team anymore, as the Braves called up the flame throwing right handed Juan Jaime on Thursday afternoon. He was considered to make the team out of spring training, but control issues held the team from putting him into big league action. In Triple-A he struck out 40, many via his often 100-mph fastball, but he had also walked 20 batters in 20 innings. Who knows maybe Roger McDowell and Eddie Perez can work wonders with this guy like they have with other relievers in the past on control.
Alex Wood has been dominant in his time for Triple-A Gwinnett through two starts and should be on his way back up into the big league rotation after the injury to Floyd. He was one of the best pitchers in baseball at the beginning of the season and he might just be what the Braves need to get a fire lit behind their butts to get going again on the mound. The southpaw should be ready as ever.
HOT TOPIC: BRAVES OR NATIONALS (VOTE)
The HotButton vote on Espn.com right now for the MLB is what team would you pick to win the NL East? The Braves have the large advantage. ESPN expert David Schoenfield thinks the Nats are the best team while Michael Knisley thinks that Atlanta has the edge. We all know secretly who will win the division crown though.
MLB NEWS
Billy Hamilton's Sensational Grab
While we all love to talk about his speed he is close to being a gold glove outfielder already as well, especially if he continues to make the kind of catches he did against the Pirates leaping up and gracefully crashing into the center field wall to rob an extra base hit yesterday.
Historical Context Behind Kershaw's No Hitter (Best Ever)
According to his game score of 102, Clayton Kershaw threw the most remarkable no hitter of all-time this week, as he struck out 15 batters and the only runner on base he allowed was because of Hanley Ramirez's error. Kershaw is a sight to watch. To think I saw him pitch at the Lookouts stadium (AA) nearly two months ago is hard to believe. Props to the man.