Sorry guys and gals, I did not read the schedule clearly enough to notice I was slated to preview this series until late yesterday afternoon with budget hearings staring me in the face. Needless to say, I have the distinct dishonor of being the first this season to screw up a series preview. Boo on me.
As the last season in the NL commences, I am just PO’d at the thought that all the years and emotions I have invested in dislike, disdain, even utter contempt of several NL teams will be pissed away with the switch to the League That Must Not Be Named. I like disliking the Braves. I revel in replaying the anger over in my mind of years of playoff disapppointments at the likes of Maddoxand Glavine, not to mention fucking WW. Or damn Javy Lopez setting up so far outside the box that Rosanne Barr could have sat her fat ass between his glove and the plate. That is what fandom is made of, not just the highs of victories, but the agonies of defeat–like celebrating your wedding anniversary and then get handed divorce papers.
Some have tried to tell me that I will have the same feelings in a few years about American League teams, but I disagree. With the state of the team as is, it will be many years (in my opinion) before the team will be constantly competitive for playoff spots, and those rivalries will fester and come to a head…..and I will have true and utter disdain for the Angels, A’s, and Mariners. (No worries about the Rangers, Yanks and BeanEaters, though, they got it covered already).
Monday, April 9, 7:05 p.m. Beachy vs Happ
Yeah, this game is over, in the books, finis. Astros won. Root. Root. Root.
Tuesday, April 10, 7:05 p.m. Hanson vs Weiland
Weiland and his mates will don the 1962 Gun-Toting, Rabble-Rousin’ unis against the Braves, can someone say, Cowboys and Indians?? Hanson is 3-0 vs the Astros with a sub 1.00 ERA. Of course, he has not faced most of this pimply faced lineup. Downs (.400) and Lee (.385) are the only ones with a decent BA in a handful of ABs against him. Weiland…well, he is an Atlanta virgin, ripe for cherry pickin’ on this game. Bourn returns to his hometown for the first time this season, and may be joined by Chipper who is expected to come off the DL for this game.
Wednesday, April 11, 7:05 p.m. Delgado vs Rodriguez
Delgado has never faced the Astros. That should be enough said about this game. Wandy though has held current Braves to a .284 average, thanks to a 1-11 (.091) by McCann and a 3 for 20 (.150) by Uggla. Rodriguez did not allow an earned run in 6 1/3 innings on Opening Day vs. Rockies. He will have to repeat this feat if the Astro bats revert to their usual showing against a newbie.
Early Season M*A*S*H report:
| Atlanta Braves | ||||
| Updated | Player | Pos | Injury | Expected Return |
| 04/02/12 | Robert Fish | RP | Elbow | 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-April |
| 04/08/12 | Tim Hudson | SP | Back | 15-day DL. Expected to make Class A rehab start April 12 |
| 04/08/12 | Chipper Jones | 3B | Knee | 15-day DL. Might return April 13 vs. Milwaukee |
| 04/02/12 | Anthony Varvaro | RP | Pectoral | 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-April |
| 03/30/12 | Arodys Vizcaino | RP | Elbow | 15-day DL. Out for season |
| Houston Astros | ||||
| Updated | Player | Pos | Injury | Expected Return |
| 04/06/12 | Sergio Escalona | RP | Elbow | 15-day DL. Out for the season |
| 04/08/12 | Jed Lowrie | SS | Thumb | 15-day DL. Might return for April 13 at Miami |
Ploys to get AIS
Monday:
Who cares? Some dumbbutt didn’t get the preview in on time.
Tuesday:
Wednesday
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This is just the first go-round of 50th Anniversary hoorahs for the team, so I thought I’d start out the season with a review of some of the former songs associated with the team. So sit back, turn up the volume and sing along…..or not….
For our Spanish speaking readers: