The Braves have had a lot of close games.  Those 1 run losses that have plagued both the team and their fans for years now.  The almost wins.  The team has had a lot less run production, outside of the 10 they put on the Dodgers, than what would have been expected with their great lineup.  

The pitching has been serviceable.  But the bullpen has gotten very worn down.  Moylan on the DL, Venters on rest.  Calling up Cory Gearrin from AAA to rest the bullpen even more.  Using Martinez three days in a row.  It’s been very taking on the pen for the Braves so far this season.

The team has had some great wins, but it is the losses that stick out most.  The extra inning loss, the 1 run losses.  They have a 9 and 12 record on the season and are 4-6 over their last 10 games.  A long road trip out West has also taken its toll.  

Chipper Jones is experiencing a sharp pain in his right knee, not the surgically repaired left knee.  A pain he admits he has had for the past 10 days or so.  A pain that may keep him out of the Saturday game versus the Giants and Tim Lincecum.  Chipper has been an offensive catalyst for the Braves and they would miss him greatly if he has to miss any time.  Continuing to play on a hurt knee though is just asking for an even longer stretch of lost time if he should injure it even more.

The Braves face off with the Giants on Saturday afternoon with the Tim vs Tim show on the mound.  Lincecum versus Hudson.  Lincecum is throwing hot and has a 1.67 coming into today’s game.  Hudson has performed well, but has struggled in the early innings of his starts.  If the Braves are without Chipper today, runs may be at a real premium and a shaky first few innings from Hudson could prove detrimental.

After last night’s win versus the Giants, the Braves need to continue that in today’s game.  That, however, may be easier said than done.