With August coming to a close, the Atlanta Braves have firmly placed themselves in the playoff push. Currently they find themselves 8.5 games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals for the Wild Card position in the National League. The team still finds itself 7 games back of the Phillies in the division, but that could change for the better or worse as they enter September (8 games remaining against the Philadelphia Phillies). This past month has been great for the Braves. They posted an17-9 record in August, and that also includes a few postponements due to Hurricane Irene.
The Braves also welcomed two new players via a waivers/trade.
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded Matt Diaz (career .297 hitter) back to the Braves which gives additional outfield depth as well as a player who dominates left handed pitching (hitting .306 vs. LHP this season). I think Diaz will be here to stay this time.
Jack Wilson was acquired from the Seattle Mariners who signed Wilson as a free agent two years ago coming off of an All-Star performance. He has dealt with lots of injuries in a starting role, but the Braves have added him for the middle infield insurance they greatly need. Plus, he is an upgrade to current back-up middle infielder Julio Lugo.
August's Best Hitters
His name is DAN UGGLA! This was what Florida Marlins announcers used to say when he would hit a home run for his former team. Now, hitting homeruns for the Braves, Dan has completely left his early on slump and entered into the realm of the Braves Best Hitter. He is doing everything right. He's hitting for power (Hit 10 HR this month), hitting for average (.340), getting on base (.405), and driving in runs (21 RBI's). He has already set offensive records for Braves second basemen All-Time, and it makes you wonder what he could have posted stat wise, if he had been hitting all season long. KINDA SCARY! Chipper Jones came off the disabled list and caught fire around the time the Braves retired Bobby Cox's number at Turner Field. He is hitting (.359, 5 HR, 12 RBI) this month. He is playing with the swagger of a Chipper "in-his-prime". If he continues to produce this way, then the Braves will be adding another flag to the Pennants already hanging in the stadium.
The additions of Michael Bourn and Jose Constanza has helped activate the Braves offense out of neutral and into full gear. They have also helped the Braves add a new element to the team that has lacked all season. Since joining the Braves Bourn, who leads the majors in stolen bases, has stolen 8 bases and Constanza has stolen 7 bags. This amount of speed has helped Braves hitter in the middle of the lineup immensely, as the team has averaged scoring over 4 runs per game this month.
August's Best Pitchers
Tim Hudson yet again has come up big for the Braves. (3-1, 2.27 ERA) and hitters are only hitting .219 against him this month. He is currently pitching at his prime level from when he was a member of the Oalnd A's. Seven wins this past month has firmly placed him as the Braves ace entering the time of year where playoff teams show just how good they are. Brandon Beachy (3-0, 3.41 ERA, 37 SO/29 IP) has also been a savior for the Braves this past month. His ability to dominate hitters has surprised many, but his work ethic is apparent. The most important factor to the success is his amazing control having only walked 32 batters in 114+ innings. Teams are only hitting .234 against Beachy this season.
Craig Kimbrell is impressing everyone in the majors and everyone that follows baseball. He set an Major League baseball record for most saves in a season for a rookie by converting his 41st save opportunity. This month he compiled 23 strike-outs in just 12 2/3 innings pitched. He still has a consecutive innings scoreless streak going, which is the longest in the majors. Kimbrell may have pushed himself far enough in front of teammate Freddie Freeman to win the NL Rookie of the Year award. There is a growing concern over his amount of use, but if he were not producing at the level he is, then the Braves would not find themselves where they are, which is firmly in control of the NL Wild Card. He may be the Braves MVP this season when all is said and done.
Bad News
The Braves starting pitching, which has been the strength of this team all season, has begun to show signs of mortality. A few nagging injuries are plaguing several players. Tommy Hanson made just 1 start the entire month and seems to not be returning from a shoulder injury any time soon. Jair Jurrjens came off the disabled list to make 4 starts but did not show the same power and control of earlier in the season. His pension for nagging injuries is starting to become apparent to the fans, as well as the team. Derek Lowe has been less than average lately, but towards the end of the month showed signs of getting into a groove like his did in late 2010.
With the Braves hitting woes now over, only a few corrections remain before this team is post season ready. Jason Heyward has slumped so badly that career-minor leaguer Jose Constanza has supplanted him as the right fielder for now. Heyward will be given every opportunity in September to get out of this funk, but will need to show signs quickly if he plans on being a factor for the playoffs. Martin Prado has also seen a slight drop in his batting average this month and fatigue may be the cause. However, with Prado's history of being the Braves most consistent hitter the past few years; he may be getting some rest this month.
Braves Awards for the Month (as picked by The Bart Cave)
Starting Pitcher of the Month (August): Tim Hudson
Relief Pitcher of the Month (August): Craig Kimbrell
Hitter of the Month (August): Dan Uggla
Defensive Player of the Month (August): Freddie Freeman
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