Tomahawk Chop

Jair Jurrjens. Tim Hudson. Derek Lowe. Tommy Hanson. Javier Vasquez.

Say what you want about how boring the baseball races have been (and they have been boring), but this staff for the Atlanta Braves is taking a page out of the Rockies playbook, the team they are coincidentally chasing. The braves are having a run like the Rockies did a few years back in hopes to sneak into the playoffs as the NL wild card. They have won an outstanding 15 of the past 17 games and have 2 more games remaining against the marlins, and then close out the season with 4 against the Nationals.

The Rockies are currently 2 games up, but have a tougher slate of games with 3 vs. Milwaukee and then 3 @ LA Dodgers. The Braves starting pitching is phenomenal and those aces keep them in every game. The bullpen is obviously a bit less desirable, but these five usually allow the Braves to be competitive no matter who the opponent or pitcher. With only 6 games remaining and 2 to make up on the Rockies you figure they will have to go 4-2 at the very least just to have a shot. In all reality they need to split with the Marlins and then definitely sweep the lifeless Nats @ home to get into the postseason or force a playoff.

They have a shot, and with that pitching can they actually make some noise in the NL...?

Pittsburgh's Pewch Pirates...

If you were not aware there was a move made today in MLB that is worth bringing up. The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded away all-star Nate McLouth in return for a handful of prospects, OF Gorkys Hernandez, and Pitchers Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke. The Pirates have now traded away Jason Bay, Xaiver Nady, and Nate McLouth which you can argue could be one of the best outfields in the game. I have never been a huge fan of teams trading away confirmed studs for prospects.

The move allows the Bravo's to find a replacement for Jordan Schafer who was relegated back to triple A ball after not being quite ready for the big show. The move works for the Braves team who are only 5 games back in the NL East, but do they really have the power and arms to contend? They just released Glavine, which seemed like a pretty raw deal. Glavine apparently worked his tail off to rehab and get back into playing shape and right when he was ready to get back on the mound the Braves ripped the cord. They brought up stud prospect Tommy Hanson and claimed the move was pure "performance based." Its a tough situation for both parties as Glavine has obviously meant so much to this organization, you can't help to think that his $1M dollar bonus for being added to the roster as well as million dollar bonuses at the 30 and 90 day mark had a bit to play in the decision. Three Cheers to you Glavine, and all-time great. It is sad to see Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltzy all officially gone from the braves organization. We will now see if Hanson is the future...

Back to the Pirates, its hard to see a team with such a rich tradition, and such a great sports town, working on their 17th consecutive losing season. How many good players can you trade away for prospects...and what exactly does this team need to do to turn the corner. PNC park is unbelievable, one of the finer ballparks in America overlooking the river. Will there ever be fans in the seats to take it all in?