Bravoyeur

The anticipation will have to wait until tomorrow, due to a rain-out in Pittsburgh this afternoon. The game will be made up in a double-header at PNC Park on Monday afternoon.

In the meantime, John Smoltz seems to be looking and feeling better. He aims to become active again by the end of May, this time pitching with the relief staff. In an interview with Sports South, Smoltz said that he felt relief was definitely best for the team. Working extremely hard to last five innings, Smoltz said it had only got harder as the season progressed to maintain his endurance.

Smoltz has proven himself valuable in relief roles already. For those with short memory, Smoltz served as the team’s closer from 2001 to 2005 after missing the 2000 season recovering from Tommy John Surgery. Smoltz has 154 saves compared to his 147 career losses, and is the only pitcher in Major League history to have over 150 saves and over 200 wins.

I think Smoltzie is going to do just fine.

Just maybe his future career as a broadcaster will be put on hold for a few more years….

Soriano looking forward

The Brave’s current, yet disabled, closer Rafael Soriano has also been throwing in bullpen sessions. After throwing in two more sessions, Soriano said he hopes to be back in the rotation by the beginning of next week. Luckily for Braves fans, this should just add power to the existing Boyer and Campillo who have been performing well of late. Soriano converted his only save opportunity in four appearances before going on the DL.

Where from here?

Remind me, why is Jeff Francoeur playing every single game, night after night after night. Why? Bobby Cox has always been exemplary at knowing when to rest guys, knowing how to give them a day off here, a day off before an off-day there (to give them two days off while missing only one game), that kind of thing.

And then there’s Francoeur, who plays every day and virtually every inning, regardless of whether he’s surging, skidding, aching or limping. Every day.  – David O’Brien – AJC

In response to O’Briens assertions that Francoeur needs rest, yesi agree, but I also think since Bobby is so intuned, Bobby will rest him when it’s for the best at the best time, no?