It’s been 182 days since the Braves sputtered to a disappointing end of 2007 against the Houston Astros, and today they exit a productive offseason to kick off MLB in 2008, state-side at least, against the Nats in their New Ballpark on ESPN. Pretty good way to get things going.
This might be the season we’ve anticipated most since 2003. Let’s hope it doesn’t end the way that one did.
Here’s what we have to look forward to:
A full year (and probably the only full year) of Tex.
Hampton actually making a regular season start with the potential to make more.
Glavine with the chance to put a capstone on a historic career for lefties.
Hudson with the chance to join three other guys in our rotation with a Cy Young (who else can even hint at such a potential distinction?).
And a lineup that has the chance to pound out 900+ runs. We get to watch 162 games of baseball in the most competitive division in baseball, with not one but two heated rivals that guarantee us 36 exciting contests. How can you not be excited?
It all starts today against the “Atlanta Braves North” as the Nats are sporting four former Braves. Odalis Perez (0-2 with a 4.96 ERA in 3 spring starts) serving as their opening day starter, Willie Harris and Ryan Langerhans manning the bench and Ray King serving in the ‘pen. Sort of sums up Stan Kasten’s imagination right there.
The Braves run Hudson out there against what might be the worst lineup in all of baseball, so let’s hope we can pad the stats against them tonight and in the other 17 games we play against him. But don’t forget, Manny Acta is a good manager and they might not be as bad as they look on paper.
JB and I are looking forward to following this season with you. May the games begin.
~BH in LA
3 Comments
March 30, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Nice opening piece for 2008. I agree, we have a lot to look forward to and getting a start (even a one game “series”) against the Nats could prove to be good momentum going into April.
Nice post, B. I’m thrilled about our rotation (for a change) and I think we have a great shot this year.
Thanks,
JB in ATL
March 30, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Hi.
Tomahawk Talk forums is having a huge gameday thread for tonights game, and we would like for you to join us.
http://forums.tomahawk-talk.com
March 30, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Nice opening piece for 2008. I agree, we have a lot to look forward to and getting a start (even a one game "series") against the Nats could prove to be good momentum going into April. Nice post, B. I'm thrilled about our rotation (for a change) and I think we have a great shot this year. Thanks, JB in ATL
March 30, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Hi. Tomahawk Talk forums is having a huge gameday thread for tonights game, and we would like for you to join us. http://forums.tomahawk-talk.com
March 31, 2008 at 3:17 am
Well guys, not a terrible start but not the win we wanted. At least we made the Nats work for it by tying it up in the 9th. And Chipper got the honors of the first Homerun of the season with W lookin on! An he almost threw a strike on the first pitch.
Ok, so we will see the first win at Home.
March 30, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Well guys, not a terrible start but not the win we wanted. At least we made the Nats work for it by tying it up in the 9th. And Chipper got the honors of the first Homerun of the season with W lookin on! An he almost threw a strike on the first pitch. Ok, so we will see the first win at Home.