| Douglas Benton. 19th May, 2011 - 2:21 am
 The Atlanta Braves are one of the top teams in the National League, while the Houston Astros are among the worst. So, when the Braves swept a short two game series at home to start this week, there wasn't much surprise except Houston being in both games.
Game 1: Braves beat Astros 3-2
Game 2: Braves beat Astros 3-1 in 11 innings
Atlanta Braves
Right-hander Tommy Hanson came into the major leagues with a rising star and appears close to pushing himself into the upper echelon of pitchers. In Monday's 3-2 win, Hanson went seven innings in giving up three hits, a walk, two runs (one earned) and striking out 10 hitters. Even better, he did it on just 94 pitches in not forcing the strikeout. This improved his season record to 5-2 with a 2.35 ERA and he has been especially dominant over the last month. In his last five starts, he threw 32.2 innings in giving up six runs and striking out 37 hitters. He isn't the ace of the staff (that goes to Tim Hudson), but he has the best stuff in the rotation.
Martin Prado is one of the most versatile and underrated players in baseball, but that could be changing soon. Prado moved into left field this year, but came back into the infield on Monday to fill in at third base for the injured Chipper Jones. He had two good defensive plays and at the plate, he went 3-for-10 in batting out of position in the lead-off spot. 27 years old, he reminds me a lot and should have a similar career to that of Philadelphia's Placido Polanco.
The big off-season acquisition, second baseman Dan Uggla, continues to struggle at the plate in falling below the .200 average on the year. Against Houston, he went 0-for-7 with two walks and while he has seven home runs on the year, his slugging numbers are on pace to be by far the lowest of his career. Uggla is not a complete hitter, but his usually power production is needed for a line-up that is an average power group.
Houston Astros
The bullpen has been disastrous this year in converting just five of their 16 save opportunities, including a poor effort in Game 2. It gave up four runs in four innings of work in the Atlanta series. The Astros have a small margin of error and losing close games repeatedly can demoralize a clubhouse over the course of the year. The current option to end games is Mark Melancon, who holds a 2.18 ERA.
The blown save from Melancon in Game 2 negated a tremendous outing from left-hander Wandy Rodriguez, who went eight shutout innings of five hit ball with six strikeouts. Now in his seventh season in the big leagues, Rodriguez has been fairly consistent as a .500 pitcher and an ERA recently in the mid-3s. He is probably most effective in No.3 or 4 slot in the rotation instead of in the No. 2 spot he holds with Houston, but this is a steady arm.
This is a time of transition for the Astros organization, but it may have two pieces to build around offensively. Right fielder Hunter Pence is a good defender and has settled in as a .280 type hitter after a hot start back in 2007. Against the Braves, he went 2-8 with four strikeouts and needs to cut down on holes in his swing as doubles type hitter. At first base is 24 year old Brett Wallace, who was one of the top prospects throughout his career in the minor leagues. After a 0-for-4, three strikeout performance in Game 1, he hit a home run in Game 2. This is a good young hitter to keep an eye on with a .321 average this season through 134 at-bats. He went 1-for-8 with four strikeouts in the series. |
