Tonight the Braves are winning 9-1 behind Medlen. Last night Paul threw a 3 hit complete game shut out; things seem to be going well. Still, I can't help but remember last year's second half. Last year we were trying to run down the Phillies or hold on to the wild card spot for the N. But after a disastrous September we fell short in game 162 on September 28.
It's early yet, but it's with some hope I'm anxious to say to say this is an entirely different team that fell apart last year. In the 2011 season we were going with guys like Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjiens, that didn't have anything to give in the second half. We had used O'Flaherty, Venters, and Kimbrell way too often and they were gassed down the stretch. This year we seem to have a solid six guys to take us to October; Hudson, Sheets, Maholm, Medlen, and Minor have been throwing the ball really well, and Hanson might be coming off the disabled soon. Our rotation looks very good right now. AND I can say enough about the way the bull pen has been throwing, especially Chad Durdin.The guy has been lights out, and in April we thought we was going to be a wasted roster spot.
As for the line up; life's good. Enough said.
Right now we are 41/2 behind the upstart Nationals, but they are a young untested team. I have to think that the heat the Braves are putting on them now will catch up with them in September. Let's all wait and see if they take Stasburg down, lets see if there pen can hold up to all the close games they have been playing, let's see if the Braves can take care of them in the six games left with them.
Just a quick side note: Tonight we knocked Santana out after a inning and a 1/3. I really hate watching something like that. It hasn't been to long ago that that guy was one of the best pitchers in the game. I realy hate watching a guy like that struggle.
This is why we chop!!!
