As I lie in bed listening to Radiohead on my iPhone on this lovely Sunday night (err Monday morning), I contemplate a very horrendous Braves game that took place a good 14 hours ago. To be honest, I was a hair frustrated after the game ended.

Quite the optimist (especially as it relates to the Braves), I became very negative rather quickly this afternoon. I thought surely after Saturday's game against Bruce and the Reds that we'd picked our bats back up. I was wrong. Dead wrong. Micah Owings, the Gainsville native, shut the Braves down. Really? Yeah, he did. While he's done well against the Braves in the past, I just didn't see anything that impressive. I definitely didn't see anything impressive enough to keep us from scoring more than 2 runs. We played amateur ball, really. Our only professional hitter in the line-up, Chipper Jones, gave him a hard time. Ok, David Ross took him yard. Or was that a Reds' reliever? I can't remember and nor do I care.

I'll just shoot it straight here. It's late... early.

Let's go.

-Yes, the NL East will be tight all season.

-Look at the NL East standings right now. Take a picture. It'll be about like this all season. The Braves lose a game and remain 2 back from first place? Scary tight. . . .

-We will have to score more than 2 runs a game to stay in the pack. Period.

-Our strong rotation can't do everything. Even in the 90's, the Braves scored on a more consistent basis.

-No more comparing to the Braves' 90's rotation. There will never be another like it in all of Baseball.

-Do the Braves have the best pitching rotation in the NL East? Undoubtedly. Argue if you want. It better be good.

-Will Kenshin tone it down on the homers? He's gonna have to if we're gonna stay in this.

-About Kenshin, give him a break. This is his first season in the U.S. His talent is there. He has awesome movement. He can mix his pitches and hit both sides of the plate well. He will adjust. He will get better and better. Cy Young? Absolutely not. 3.20-3.95 ERA? I think so . . .

-Will Glavine play again? No. Haha, sorry.

- Will Tommy be called up this season? Personally, I think the Braves would love Jo-Jo to get a few more games under his belt so he can have more opportunities to show other clubs what he can do. I think the Braves will deal him before the break. Hanson finishes the season in the 5th spot.

Okay, I just have to make this statement:

The Braves will start to really surprise some folks when they can get all of the starters in the line-up at the same time for an extended period of time. This has been there problem. No consistent threats at the plate. It's hard to match up against other clubs with Kotchman as the Braves' clean-up stick. I love the dude to death. He will be one of our more consistent hitters this year. Just not in the clean-up spot.

Braves pitching is there, folks. The pen is getting things together and fast. Until today, the starting pitching has kept the Braves in games.

I'm gonna leave you with what the Braves' line-up will soon look like as well as their rotation. You tell me if you don't think they can match up with anyone in this division.

1. Kelly Johnson 2B
2. Yunel Escobar SS
3. Chipper Jones 3B
4. Brian McCann C
5. Garrett Anderson/ Matt Diaz LF (BTW, I strongly dislike Garrett Anderson)
6. Jeff Francoeur RF
7. Casey Kotchman 1B
8. Jordan Schafer CF
9. Derek Lowe P

Derek Lowe
Jair Jurrjens
Javier Vazquez (Stud)
Kenshin Kawakami
Tommy Hanson (by June)

I smell a serious run at this...

...of course if the Braves can keep Chipper in the line-up...
...and everyone else.

Wait! Dang, I forgot about Huddy. What do we do with him come late July, early August? Obviously pitch him. Sheesh. Good problems . . .

Good week everyone,

Luke Goddard