The past week the Atlanta Braves have a record of 5-1. The entire team seems to be clicking and it couldn't be better timing.
Yesterday, the Braves were supposed to play another game in Philadelphia against the Phillies, but it was postponed and set back due to a rain-out. That is the only such delay/postponage this entire season, but it actually proved helpful to the Braves.
"This lets us recharge that bullpen a little bit," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Kimbrel played catch today. Nothing major. Hopefully tomorrow he wakes up a little better, progresses."
A few Braves have been taken days off while battling injuries and even sickness. They include third baseman Chris Johnson (off-day), shortstop Andrelton Simmons (wrist), and Evan Gattis (sickness). Most recent was Johnson who was ruled out of the lineup on Tuesday.
"He's just fighting himself a little bit right now," hitting coach Greg Walker said. "We're trying to get him to get the fight back between him and the pitcher."
Manager Gonzalez said, "He's fine. Just give him a couple of days."
Their most recent outing was a thriller. The Braves hammered five homers in a 9-6 win to improve to nine wins on the season. The players were went yard were Dan Uggla (2), Evan Gattis (2), and Andrelton Simmons (1). Uggla was able to win the game for the Braves with a go-ahead grand slam to lead 9-6.
"We have a lot of guys who can change the game with one swing," Uggla said. "Tonight we were able to put some at-bats together. Didn't have much going early on but we were able to get to them."
First baseman Freddie Freeman and left fielder Justin Upton seem to be getting hot at the right time. Both of whom have a batting average above .350. They are without a doubt the two hottest (for lack of a batter word) players on the Braves at the plate.
Justin was even named the National League Player of the Week for his performance the past seven days including a .591 batting average (13-for-22) with four homers, eight RBI, and eight runs scored over six games.
"Things have kind of been going my way the last few days," said Upton, who won the award after collecting four home runs and eight RBIs in the past four games and leading the majors in batting average (.591), on-base percentage (.654) and slugging percentage (1.227) in six games during the week that ended Sunday. "It's something to build on."
Walker said, "This year he's probably been more consistent."
So far Craig Kimbrel, who is arguably the best closer in all of baseball, has not blown a safe yet this year. Although he has recently been listed as day-to-day with a shoulder injury, fans shouldn't worry to much because it is not that severe.
"There's no reason to push it this early in the year," Kimbrel said. "It's something that doesn't really hinder me on the field. Being a pitcher, things get sore now and then. It's just a little uncomfortable. I'll take a few days off and be ready to go."
Yesterday, the Braves were supposed to play another game in Philadelphia against the Phillies, but it was postponed and set back due to a rain-out. That is the only such delay/postponage this entire season, but it actually proved helpful to the Braves.
"This lets us recharge that bullpen a little bit," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Kimbrel played catch today. Nothing major. Hopefully tomorrow he wakes up a little better, progresses."
A few Braves have been taken days off while battling injuries and even sickness. They include third baseman Chris Johnson (off-day), shortstop Andrelton Simmons (wrist), and Evan Gattis (sickness). Most recent was Johnson who was ruled out of the lineup on Tuesday.
"He's just fighting himself a little bit right now," hitting coach Greg Walker said. "We're trying to get him to get the fight back between him and the pitcher."
Manager Gonzalez said, "He's fine. Just give him a couple of days."
Their most recent outing was a thriller. The Braves hammered five homers in a 9-6 win to improve to nine wins on the season. The players were went yard were Dan Uggla (2), Evan Gattis (2), and Andrelton Simmons (1). Uggla was able to win the game for the Braves with a go-ahead grand slam to lead 9-6.
"We have a lot of guys who can change the game with one swing," Uggla said. "Tonight we were able to put some at-bats together. Didn't have much going early on but we were able to get to them."
First baseman Freddie Freeman and left fielder Justin Upton seem to be getting hot at the right time. Both of whom have a batting average above .350. They are without a doubt the two hottest (for lack of a batter word) players on the Braves at the plate.
Justin was even named the National League Player of the Week for his performance the past seven days including a .591 batting average (13-for-22) with four homers, eight RBI, and eight runs scored over six games.
"Things have kind of been going my way the last few days," said Upton, who won the award after collecting four home runs and eight RBIs in the past four games and leading the majors in batting average (.591), on-base percentage (.654) and slugging percentage (1.227) in six games during the week that ended Sunday. "It's something to build on."
Walker said, "This year he's probably been more consistent."
So far Craig Kimbrel, who is arguably the best closer in all of baseball, has not blown a safe yet this year. Although he has recently been listed as day-to-day with a shoulder injury, fans shouldn't worry to much because it is not that severe.
"There's no reason to push it this early in the year," Kimbrel said. "It's something that doesn't really hinder me on the field. Being a pitcher, things get sore now and then. It's just a little uncomfortable. I'll take a few days off and be ready to go."