Tabor's Big League Chew: Atlanta Braves 2012 Lineup Preview

Tabor's Big League Chew: Atlanta Braves 2012 Lineup Preview: I recall sitting, dejected, depressed, tearful and generally upset after game 162 last year. I said what I always have said when the Braves...

Atlanta Braves 2012 Lineup Preview

I recall sitting, dejected, depressed, tearful and generally upset after game 162 last year. I said what I always have said when the Braves blow it, "God it's gonna be a long winter." And lo and behold, we're already at the cusp of another Braves spring training; be it my human need to forget the pain and suffering the Braves put us fans through last September (going an abysmal 8-18 and thus conceding the wild card birth the the now world champion Cards), but I'm jazzed for this season like I haven't been since our heyday in the 90s. Perhaps its the fact we no longer have that guaranteed L every 5th day in Derek Lowe (the Braves literally paid Cleveland 10 million bucks to just take this idiot and never look back), or perhaps its the high hopes for A+ prospect Tyler Pastornicky getting his shot at shortstop. Lets take a look at our lineup from top to bottom to see why this Braves fan is salivating at the thought of opening day:

1) Michael Bourne: This lineup has the capability to score a ton of runs, and it all starts and stops with speedster Michael Bourne in the leadoff spot. The Braves really aren't known as a running team, but you have to imagine that with Bourn in the fold for a full season, Fredi will turn him loose on the basepaths. If Bourn is able to up his OBP to the .350 range that it was when he was a commodity with the Astros over the past couple of seasons, and his defense rebounds to the stellar level it was at, Bourn will absolutely be a spark plug for the Braves in CF.

2) Martin Prado: Martin Prado was an All-Star in 2010, and many Braves fans thought he was the Atlanta Braves MVP that season. He had a .307 batting average to go along with 15 home runs and 66 RBI’s. He struggled last year with a staph infection as his numbers dropped to .260/13/57 and played in 11 less games. If Prado can turn it around in 2012, he can do a lot of damage at the top of the order.

3) Chipper Jones: The Ol' Grey Mare still keeps on going, and at almost 40 years of age, this could be (and should be) Chipper's last hurrah. Chipper Jones has battled constant nagging injuries over the last three or four years, but he is still one of the best hitters in the Atlanta Braves lineup when healthy, as well as arguably the best player of the steroid era to not be tainted with the stigma of being a "juicer." Jones started slow and dealt with some injuries last season, as per usual, but still managed to hit .275, which is below average for him, but good nonetheless. Chipper got his power stroke going around mid-season and finished the year with 18 home runs and 70 RBI’s. It is incredibly important for Chip to be in the lineup, he brings invaluable leadership and necessary protection for Uggla in the cleanup spot.

4) Dan Uggla: 2011 was the tale of 2 seasons for Dan Uggla. Before the all-star break, moreover, prior to his 33 game hit-streak, Uggla was well below the Mendoza line (.200). On the flipside he went on the warpath (pun intended) and was arguably the MVP of the League in the 2nd half of the season. His 33 game hitting streak set the Atlanta Braves record for longest hitting streak. Uggla finished the year with a .233 Batting Avg., A career high 36 HR’s & 82 RBI’s, and the Braves have high expectations for the buffest 2b to ever play the game!

5) Brian McCann: McCann matched his career high for home runs in 2011 with 24, as well as missing considerable time on the DL. His RBI production dipped to a career low (71), but that can be attributed to the anemic bats in front of him in the lineup; before the Braves acquired Michael Bourne, they didn't have a true leadoff hitter. I fully expect Mac to be healthy and to earn his 7th consecutive all-star appearance.

6) Freddie Freeman: In my opinion, Freeman was the Rookie of the Year for the NL, because I don't feel this award should go to anyone but a position player. Be that as it may, the Braves had the winner of the ROY in Craig Kimbrel, so no harm no foul in the Braves fan's eyes. He hit .282 with 21 home runs and 76 RBI’s in a very impressive rookie campaign. Freeman will probably bat in the 6 spot behind Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, and Dan Uggla, and in front of Jason Heyward, so he should have plenty of protection and run producing opportunities.

7) Jason Heyward: This kid needs to step up and be the player he was his rookie year in 2010. He looked like he was going to be the next Chipper Jones after a rookie campaign where he hit .277 with 18 Homers and 72 RBI’s, most baseball analysts thought that Heyward would continue to rise. This was not the case; Unfortunately Heyward suffered through a big sophomore slump in 2011 as his average fail 50 points to .227. His power numbers were down too, especially his RBI’s. He hit 14 homers with only 42 RBI’s. His walks also fail dramatically; he walked 91 times in 2010 and only 51 times in 2011. So far in camp, he has displayed a different swing and is, according to Chipper, "tearing the cover off the ball." The Braves have big expectations for this kid, and he cannot afford another season like last year.

8) Tyler Pastornicky: This kid has been the talk of the town in Atlanta since he was called up for the final game last year (he did not play.) There was talk after last season's horrific collapse to buy a journeyman SS for 1 season to give Pastornicky some more grooming time. That plan was scrapped and the 22 year old kid will have his chance as the everyday starter at SS. Pastornisky started 2011 in AA Mississippi where he hit for a .299 batting average with 6 home runs and 36 RBI’s in 90 games. During him time at AA, Pastornisky stole 20 bases out of 28 attempts. Pastornisky got called up to AAA Gwinett for 27 games and hit .365 with a home run and 9 RBI’s; he was 7/10 in stolen base attempts. This kid reminds me a lot of Chipper, and good things are expected out of him for 2012.

As a whole, the Braves don't expect to break the Phillies stranglehold on the NL East, but they expect to be more than competitive; its hard to dethrone a team that has over DOUBLE the Braves payroll, but not every team has the near limitless purse-strings the Phillies, Yankees or Red Sox have. I will examine the Braves phenomenal (young) pitching staff in the days to come, so until next time, keep those tomahawks chopping!

Tabor's Big League Chew: Lost in the Linsanity: An Editorial

Tabor's Big League Chew: Lost in the Linsanity: An Editorial: This is Jeremy Lin, that's all that's going on in sports. Right? (Reuters/ Mike Segar) Right now, you can't turn on the television or ra...

Lost in the Linsanity: An Editorial

This is Jeremy Lin, that's all that's going on in sports. Right?
(Reuters/ Mike Segar)

Right now, you can't turn on the television or radio without hearing about Jeremy Lin. The Harvard graduate has taken the sports world by storm and has done so at a very opportune time. Let me just say that I am Linsane in the membrane. I'm Rush Linbaugh. This time of year, the sports world is starving for stories and Jeremy Lin has been what is holding the 24 hour sports cycle together. Lin is a special talent and I will say my piece on him, but here is what you may be missing in the world of sports if all you hear is Jeremy Lin.


Red Wings Dominate at Home
The Detroit Red Wings have not lost a game at home since November 3rd. The Wings have rattled off 23 consecutive wins and go for #24 tonight against the Vancouver Canucks. While turning Joe Louis Arena into Fort Neverlose, the Red Wings have earned the best record in hockey. Their home winning streak has been a big part of that as on the road, Detroit is a sub .500 team. It will be interesting to see if they can continue their winning ways without the continued services of assist leader, Pavel Datsyuk.

Coming into town, the Canucks boast a great road record, 20-10-2. Vancouver will be the toughest test in JLA until the Chicago Blackhawks come back into town. If they make it to that point with the home winning streak still in tact, the Wings will attempt to set the all time record for most consecutive home wins across sports against the last team to beat them.

Hope Springs Eternal at Spring Training
Pitchers and catchers have already reported to baseball's spring training and the rest of the players are filtering in. All eyes will be on newcomers such as Yu Darvish, but what interests me is the players trying to make another run at one last summer in the sun.

49 year old Jamie Moyer is trying to get on with the Colorado Rockies. Moyer has 260 wins on his career and feels he can contribute both on and off the field. He's going to have a chance to make it, as the pitching staff for the Rockies are comprised of mostly new faces from the off season. According to the Washington Post, Moyer has already been establishing himself as a clubhouse leader, teaching the former American league pitchers on staff the nuances of hitting and bunting.

In the American League, making a less auspicious return is Manny Ramirez. General Manager Billy Beane haas described the signing of Ramirez as "low risk" but critics haven't been as kind to the signing. ManRam's best years are behind him and he still must serve a 50 game suspension from his positive PED test. The signing is nothing new in the home of Moneyball where aging sluggers have spent their last seasons, often without impact on the roster.

Heat Leading the League
Even within the same league, there are stories that are being missed in the Linsanity. The Miami Heat are playing great basketball and it seems the chemistry between the big three is working. They are tied for the best record in the league with the Oklahoma City Thunder at a 26-7 mark. The two squads look like they are in an early collision course in the Finals.

The only teams that look like they could challenge the Heat and Thunder respectively are the Bulls and the Spurs. The Spurs themselves have put on quite a winning streak, at one point rattling off 11 consecutive victories to propel themselves to the top of their division. Tony Parker has been unconscious, leading the aging roster on one last journey against time and trying to get to the Finals, themselves. This could be the effect of the lockout shortened season benefiting the teams who had established chemistry over the years and know how to rev themselves up to make a run.

The Bulls, lead by reigning MVP Derrick Rose go into the break with a 5 game lead on the second place Pacers. The Bulls lost a close one against the Heat in their first match up on the road. The teams have three more meetings in what will decide who the king of the East is going into the playoffs.


Finally, Jeremy Lin
A lot has already been said about Jeremy Lin. I haven't watched many of his games but from what I've seen, I know this. The guy can play ball. The biggest knock on him so far is that he turns the ball over too much. In his 10 games he has had 56 turnovers which is most ever for a player in their first ten games. However, stats don't matter. Wins do. The Knicks are shooting 15% better from the floor when he's out there and they are winning games. Before Lin, the Knicks were looking at the lottery once again but with him at the helm, they are in the playoffs at the midway point.

Now that Carmelo Anthony has returned, I would expect Lin's production to go down some but overall I think his return will be good for the Knicks in the long run. Anthony provides something that no one else on the team can. Anthony is a strong player and can get to the rim out of his small forward position. What separates him from his teammates is his willingness to create difficult points, especially late in games. I think that with Anthony back in the lineup, the Knicks can make some serious noise moving into the second half of the season. Right now, New York is the hottest team in their division and if they continue to play like they have been playing the past 3 weeks, they will win the Atlantic Division.

Manning leads Giants over Pats in Super Bowl XLVI

Ahmad Bradshaw runs for tough yards against the Patriots
(William Perlman/The Star-Ledger)

The result was a carbon copy of the last time these two teams faced one another in the Super Bowl. At the end of the game it was Giants 21, Patriots 17 and Eli Manning raised both the Lombardi trophy as well as the game MVP award. Manning lead the Giants on a game winning drive, late in the game but this time, the touchdown that provided final separation was on the ground and widely regarded as a gaffe instead of a great effort by receiver and quarter back.

The Giants received the opening kickoff and the offense was clicking early. The Patriot defense seemed to have trouble tackling the the running back tandem of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. As the game wore on though, the New England strategy became more apparent. Instead of trying to make the tackle early on they were trying to strip the ball from the ball carriers. They did so with success on several occasions but they were unable to capitalize on the defensive plays all the fumbles being either recovered by the Gaints or negated on a fumble.

Eli and the Giants moved the ball into Patriot territory, using a healthy does of the run game, mixing in passes to keep them honest but the New England defense buckled down in their own territory and forced a loss on three consecutive plays, two of them sacks on Manning. This brought on the punter Steve Weatherford who would be an unsung hero through the game.

After Weatherford's punt was downed on the 6 yard line the Patriots went to work. Brady dropped back to pass and on the first offensive play from scrimmage Justin Tuck got pressure up the middle and forced Brady into an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone which resulted in a safety for the defense. After the ensuing free kick, the New York offense was back on the field.

This time they would take advantage of the New England defense going 78 yards on 9 plays. The Patriots appeared to have taken over on a fumble recovery in the red zone as Sterling Moore stripped the ball from Victor Cruz after a completion but the Pats' recovery was wiped off the board when the defense was penalized for having too many men on the field. Hope sprang eternal and Cruz would make up for his mistake two plays later when he caught Manning's only TD pass on the day from two yards out.

At the end of the first quarter, the Giants were in control. both of the ball and the scoreboard, leading 9-0 after the opening period. The Patriots ended the quarter having only possessed the ball for three and a half minutes, but Brady and company were on the move.

As much as the first quarter belonged to the Giants, the second belonged to the Patriots. Tom Brady lead the Pats down the field into the Giants red zone. The Patriots stalled but got a field goal out of it, finally showing signs of life from the offense. The Patriots would stand tall on defense again, not allowing another point throughout the first half. Weatherford's third punt of the day was downed on the one yard line but Brady would respond with a 14 play 99 yard drive which lead to the end of the first half. Brady was left without much to work with on the scoring play but Woodhead found a hole in the defense and Brady found him, putting the Patriots ahead going into the second half.

To open the game, the Patriots had elected to kick the ball so they would essentially get the ball for two consecutive possessions, having had the last say in the first half. By this time, New England had all the momentum and quickly marched up the field, scoring another touchdown. Brady this time found Aaron Hernandez for a 12 yard touchdown pass to put New England up 17-9. They would not score again.

 The Giants responded with a drive which gave them a field goal, drawing closer to the Pats. Defensively, the Giants dug in and forced a New England 3 and out but again were only able to convert the possession into a field goal. The next possession truly changed the face of the game. Two plays into the fourth quarter, Brady was pressured, nearly fumbled but escaped the pressure. He saw Gronkowski deep and threw it up, but the ankle was clearly bothering Gronk this evening as Carter Blackburn intercepted Brady's pass giving the ball back to the Giants.

New York wouldn't do anything with the possession though and ended up trading punts with the Patriots. The next time the Giants had the ball it became the Eli Manning show. Starting with the ball inside his own 15 Manning went deep to Mario Manningham in what would be the play of the game. Manningham tiptoed the sideline and held onto the ball getting the ball to midfield in one play. After an incompletion, Manning would complete his next four passes and put the Giants in position to win the game. Ahman Bradshaw took a hand off up the middle and Bradshaw's momentum would carry him into the end zone. The Giants failed on the two point conversion, giving them a 4 point lead with just under a minute to go in the game.

Brady would convert on a 4th and 16 deep in his own territory and got the Pats within striking distance with one play to decide it all. Brady threw up a hail mary and the ball fell to the turf after being batted down, falling just out of reach of Rob Gronkowski. Brady broke Joe Montana's record of consecutive completions in the Super Bowl but did manage 276  yards passing without much help from the running game. A couple drops late from normally sure handed receivers did not help his cause but at the end of the game, the Giants came out on top.

MVP Eli Manning turned in a 30-40 passing performance for 296 yards and the touchdown pass to Cruz. In the wake of the game to this point, coach Tom Coughlin has stated he wants to keep coaching and Belicheck has stated that "It's too early to make a decision." It was a tremendous cap to a season that was up in the air from the very beginning. Much like the season, the game wasn't decided until the 11th hour and left fans on the edge of their seats till the final whistle.