The Braves are all set to take on the Giants in what promises to be a very exciting and evenly matched NLDS. Bobby Cox due to injuries and other considerations has gone with seven rookies on his post season roster; Heyward, Venters, Dunn, Beachy, Martinez, Kimbrel and the Rawdog himself Brooks Conrad. They have also packed Diory Hernandez who is denied rookie status by something like six at bats.
That is the most ever carried by a Braves team to the post season, more than the 2005 "Baby Braves" who relied on rookie contributions all year. Much like this team.
The Bravos will send past playoff hero Derek Lowe, against two time Cy young winner Tim Lincecum. Lowe is coming in hot , but you can never count out Lincecum because of his repertoire. The diminutive righty has a history of getting over hyped for big games so the Braves will look to cash in on that before he gets into a grove.
The Braves will have to get some runs somehow, and play better defense than they have in recent weeks to win this series. With two of the most impressive bullpens in the league most of these game could be decided early. The top of the order for the Braves does a good job of getting on, but with the best franchise hitter in the last two decades(Chipper Jones), and their current best offensive player(Martin Prado) out with injuries it's up to Brian McCann, and Derek Lee to pick up the slack.
The Giants lineup can be potent, but isn't without holes. The key to their lineup is Andres Torres, if they can keep him of the bases then they can pitch around Huff and Posey to make the lineup a lot shorter.
Keys to the game for the Braves:
Score early.
Play better defense.
Keep Andres Torres of the bases.
Score at all.
Thoughts on the other post season series:
Twins vs. Yankees, the twins put up a good fight, but ultimately fell to the Yanks in game one. If The twinkies can win the next game they have a shot to win. If not they can pack their bags.
Rangers vs. Rays, for one of the first times ever I disagree with a move Joe Maddon is making sending an ice cold James Shields to face the potent Rangers lineup. Matt Garza seems like the obvious choice for their most important game thus far, but he's the boss. C.J. Wilson has had a great year and the Rays can be neutralized by a tough lefty. Wilson will likely give them a hard time, and Shields will be out by the fifth. Prognosis; Rangers win in four.
Phillies vs. Reds, after watching Roy Halladay singlehandedly demoralizing the entire state of Ohio the Reds will try to bounce back tonight against Roy Oswalt, but Bronson Arroyo has had his troubles with the lefty heavy Phillies lineup. If the Reds can't win tonight they probably wont make it past this round. They have to generate some sort of momentum to counteract last nights no hitter.
Rays vs. Rangers is on TBS right now so I have to go see what's happening, remember Braves tonight at 9:37(weird huh?) again on TBS.
Go Braves!
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