Catcher’s Blog

Yesterday couldn’t have gone more swimmingly. We beat the Mets twice in one day. How sweet is that? It’s nice we cut down our lead in the standings, but we still have two more games to play before this series ends. As we saw yesterday, Braves hitters acted like they actually had a clue at the plate with the timely hitting and smart baseball that they played. Where has this team been all year long? Patience is key at the plate. Yesterday proves that we are a much better hitting team when we don’t resort to flailing at every first pitch and are patient enough to work the count to tire the opposing pitcher. Plus it seems Teixshy and KJ have figured something out, which can only mean good things to come if they keep at it.

I once said on DOB’s Braves blog before when KJ was still struggling mightily in the leadoff role that moving him down in the lineup might help him improve. What response did I receive? That I didn’t know what I was talking about and that KJ should stay put and ”work out his slump in the leadoff spot.” Well, no offense, but I think he hit the nail on the head last night when he said that he had different situations in the bottom of the lineup and while trying to be more aggressive, he feels more comfortable there. He feels like he can do some damage rather than just work the count, see pitches, and get on base. Is KJ a decent leadoff hitter? Yes, he is, but there’s only so long you can try something one way and it not work. Try a different method and it just might click. He was pressing and trying too hard to get on base in the leadoff spot. His patience is probably the only leadoff characteristic that he possesses. He is a pull/power hitter and needs to be driving in runs, not trying to score them, even though his speed is an added bonus. My point is to keep KJ in the 7th spot, especially against the Mets.

Teixshy seems to be heating up and Frenchy is not. Teixshy was hitting all day long yesterday and in both games. Let’s hope this is the start of a really hot streak to make up for the lack of hitting he’s been doing lately. Bobby finally got off his high horse and let the 370-straight-game, right fielder sit out a game. I don’t expect Frenchy to ride the pine two games in a row, but lets hope if he is indeed back in the lineup tonight that the rest helped him out.

After last night’s collision, Escobar might be out, but no one really knows for how long. If Escobar does sit a few games, who will fill in for him? I’ve read Infante is probably our only option, unless we call someone up that probably won’t match Escobar’s production that he’s contributed so far this season. Let’s hope he’s only out for a game or two, but even that will put a hole in the leadoff spot and in defense at shortstop. Just a note on this from my viewing of the incident. I found it very admirable of Chipper to stay out on the field on one knee with the Mets’ medical staff, manager, etc. until Church was up and walking while the rest of our players went into the clubhouse. Just saying. You won’t hear any of the Mets’ fans talking about this, I’m sure.

Two games down, two more to go with the Mets. JJ is on the mound and will face Mike Pelfrey. Let’s keep it going boys and take the series at the very least.