-Matt Diaz is a player. For those that have followed the Braves over the last few years they know this. He is a ballplayer. Always hustling, always busting it out of the box, can bat anywhere in the lineup and be productive. He has hit over .300 in 3 out of his 4 years with the Braves. He has been a part-timer over these 4 years and is always ready to play whenever and wherever he is needed. He has the most awkward swing and has never seen a pitch he does not like to swing at.
-Martin Prado has been a godsend for the Braves in the second half of the season. Since replacing Kelly Johnson in the lineup the Braves have played so much better. The Braves struggled getting production from the top of their lineup and when they placed him in the 2-hole, the lineup really started to click. Martin can play 3 different positions on the IF and maybe even SS in a pinch. He has a great looking level swing and just knows how to play the game.
-Yunel Escobar has been the Braves offensive MVP this year, maybe even the MVP of this entire club. He has always had the tools and is finally looking like he has matured emotionally and professionally. The Braves have found the ideal spot for him in the lineup, hitting 5th or 6th. He is an aggressive hitter and that suits his style well and his approach with runners in scoring position has helped to increase his RBI production for the year. Martin Prado's emergence allowed him to be dropped in the lineup.
-The pitching staff has been really good this year. Derek Lowe, the 36 year old 60 million dollar investment has been the fourth or fifth best pitcher on the staff this year and he has not been that horrible. The staff is well blended with youngsters and veterans. The two 23 year olds, Jurrjens and Hanson have been tremendous. Vazquez has been an excellent find from the White Sox and Kawakami has been getting better as he has become adjusted to the American game and culture. Jurrjens had a great start to his Braves career in 2008 and has only gotten better this year. He will surpass his innings total from last year in his next couple of starts. His ERA has hovered around 3 all year and it currently sits underneath that mark. Hanson has been good ever since he came up in June. He has show poise and moxy, no situation is ever too big for him. He reminds of Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay in physical stature, demeanor, and the variety of pitches he can throw. We can only hope his career will be anywhere close to the things the former Cy Young Award winner Halladay has accomplished. Vazquez is having his best season as a pro at the age of 33. He is second in the NL in K's and has been a workhorse going nearly 7 innings in every start. With Lowe, Kawakami, the emergence Kris Medlen of this year out of the pen, and the return of Tim Hudson. The Braves have a plethora of SP available to them, it will be interesting to see what happens with this team for next year.
I think this team will finish just shy of the playoffs. I predict they will finish with 86 wins and be 4 games out at the end of the season. An improvement over the last few seasons and a positive sign for things to come in 2010 where I think they will make the playoffs and make that return to the postseason. Take care and hugs and handpounds everyone.
