How good are the Braves?

[HeeHawGrandpa]

Braves just completed a four game sweep of the Rockies. Are they really that good or are the Rockies just struggling right now? Is Braves pitching comparable to the Phillies or is the offense just clicking on all cylinders?

Like to hear your guys' opinion.

Thanks, and Hee Haw!

[Scoobean]

They are pretty damn good in my opinion. They have a very strong starting staff and Kimbrell and Ventors are great in the bullpen. The hitting is also very strong. Even with Uggla hitting the way he is the others in the lineup are picking up the slack.

[Mudge]

Yeah, as I posted somewhere else, but I'm not sure where, the Braves pitching is easily the equal (at least in terms of team ERA) with the much-tauted Phillies staff. Actually, the Braves are sporting a 3.02 staff ERA as opposed to the Phillies 3.05. San Francisco is a distant third at 3.26.

Will it last? Not sure, but I can say that they need a little more offense for insurance; maybe Prado's return will help.

[JoshRedcay]

I think they've been fairly underrated this season. It seems as thought they've flown under a lot of peoples radars so far this season, and while their pitching might not quite be the Phillies, Hanson and Jurrjens have really showed up this season at the 3-4 spots in the rotation.

Not sure if they will be able to take down the Phillies in the division, but at this rate they have the WC locked up for sure.

[Mudge]

I think they've been fairly underrated this season. It seems as thought they've flown under a lot of peoples radars so far this season, and while their pitching might not quite be the Phillies, Hanson and Jurrjens have really showed up this season at the 3-4 spots in the rotation.

Not sure if they will be able to take down the Phillies in the division, but at this rate they have the WC locked up for sure.

My sentiments exactly. I think they'll need one more proven bat to make it work.

[Old Sweater]

Braves just completed a four game sweep of the Rockies. Are they really that good or are the Rockies just struggling right now? Is Braves pitching comparable to the Phillies or is the offense just clicking on all cylinders?

Like to hear your guys' opinion.

Thanks, and Hee Haw!

Hey howdy and welcome. IMO, the Braves are a very solid club, pitching and hitting with a bit of a spotty defense. Don't know how Uggla could get to that one ball to his left and then had another one split his wickets today. That Freddie Freeman kid tore the Rockies up and appeared rather huge on TV.

Rockies are also struggling right now, worse then anytime this season so they ain't the best gauge.

[BobH]

You guys have said it all. Mudge's figures on the ERAs explain a lot of it. After 50+ years I'm still a fan and always will be...Go Braves!!!..:banana::banana:-BH

[WingsOfSteel]

I still think we have the best staff in baseball 1-12 and clutch hitters like Hinske and Conrad coming off the bench. We can stay right on Philly's tails all season.

[Scoobean]

They are hanging with the Phillies tonight in extra innings in Philadelphia so that shows they are pretty talented.

[AxeGrappler]

Agree with all of the above statements, but also want to point out that the Braves have been dealing with injuries for the entire season! Jurrjens, Hanson, Prado, Beachy, Chipper, McClouth, and Heyward have all missed time with injuries. Atlanta really has not been 100% offensively yet this season, which is scary if people get healthy and Uggla starts hitting to his ability. Freddie Freeman is getting better every day. Amazing that we have the second best record in baseball, but it's only good enough for second place in our division!! This will be an epic pennant race in my opinion. The Phillies have the better rotation, but just barely. The Braves bullpen is FAR better than Philadelphia's. Last night's extra inning affair is just a small indication of how close these teams really are.