Braves pitchers once again leading the charge

ESPN.com

Updated: May 21, 2008

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

Tim Hudson and the Braves are continuing the rich pitching tradition in Atlanta.

PITCHING BRAVE

By David Bearman, ESPN Research

Greg Maddux left. Tom Glavine left and came back, though a bit older. Pitching coach Leo Mazzone left after the 2005 season. John Smoltz is still around, but hurt. One thing remains constant: The Braves still have the best pitching staff in the National League.

Jair Jurrjens picked up his fifth win of the year Wednesday for a Braves pitching staff that is carrying around a 3.46 ERA, the best in the NL and third-best in baseball. The starters (mostly Tim Hudson, Glavine, Jurrjens, Smoltz and Jo-Jo Reyes) have an ERA of 3.47, also best in the NL. Hudson is 6-3 with a 3.06 ERA in 10 starts, emerging as the ace the Braves traded for in 2005. Glavine was off to a rough start in his return to Atlanta, but has now won two starts in a row. Smoltz, in his 20th season in Atlanta, had a 2.00 ERA in five starts before getting injured. (Manager Bobby Cox thinks Smotlz could be back within two weeks). Even newcomer Jorge Campillo has got in on the action, picking up his first career win Tuesday by tossing six scoreless innings against the Mets.

This is nothing new in Atlanta, where strong pitching, especially starting pitching, has been a staple for years. The Braves led the NL in team ERA 10 times from 1992-2004 before Mazzone left for Baltimore, and were in the top two in ERA 12 times, including 11 straight from 1992-2002. A rare 10th-place finish in team ERA in 2006 was followed by a third-best showing a season ago.

The big question has always been the bullpen, but the relievers have posted a 3.43 ERA. And with Chipper Jones hitting like he did in 1999 when he won the NL MVP, there could be more October baseball in Atlanta.

Atlanta's team ERA
NL rank, since 1991
2008 1st
2007 3rd
2006 10th
2005 6th
2004 1st
2003 9th
1997-2002 1st
1996 2nd
1995 1st
1994 2nd
1993 1st
1992 1st
1991 3rd

Past Baseball Tonight Clubhouses: May 20 | May 19 | May 18 | May 15 | May 14 | May 13

FORWARD THINKING: THURSDAY

Johan Santana • Mets at Braves, 7:10 p.m. ET: Johan Santana (5-2, 3.30 ERA) is 4-0 over his past six starts. Earlier this year, though, he was outdueled in Atlanta by John Smoltz. It's Tim Hudson who heads out to the mound this time. Hudson (6-3, 3.06 ERA) gets stronger as games progress, with opponents hitting .191 on pitches 76-100.

Joe Saunders • Angels at Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m. ET: Joe Saunders (7-1, 2.48) has done well pitching to contact this year. The Angels starter has had at least five strikeouts in just two starts this season. Oddly, A.J. Burnett (4-4, 4.71 ERA) has issued more walks (15) in his four wins than his four losses (eight).

Daisuke Matsuzaka • Royals at Red Sox, 1:35 p.m. ET: Daisuke Matsuzaka (7-0, 2.15 ERA) tries to remain perfect. He has allowed five total runs over his past four starts, a stretch of 25 2/3 innings. Brian Bannister (4-5, 4.29 ERA) has lost five of his past six starts, permitting an average of eights hits in those losses.

• Complete list of pitching probables for Thursday's games


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BBTN ON THE AIR: THURSDAY

TIME WHO'S ON?
12:30 a.m. ET
ESPN2		 Host: Steve Berthiaume
Analysts: Orestes Destrade, Tim Kurkjian

BBTN MINUTE: JOBA'S TRANSITION

WEDNESDAY'S NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES

GOOD
Ryan Howard• A Ryan Howard sighting. The lefty went 3-for-5 with a walk, two homers and four RBIs in the Phillies' easy win against Washington.
BAD
Mike Pelfrey• Mike Pelfrey got hit hard, giving up eight hits and six runs over four innings in the Mets' third straight loss against the Braves.
UGLY
Jarrod Washburn• The Mariners never had a chance against Detroit, thanks to Jarrod Washburn. He lasted just 2 1/3 innings, giving up 12 hits and nine runs.

FANTASY 3:50: BILLINGSLEY'S WHIP

FANTASY: PREVIEW OF THURSDAY'S GAMES

Will Harris examines the pitching matchups in store for the 11 games on Thursday's schedule in the American League and National League.

Fantasy Harris also looks at injuries and details player reports that could help shape your roster for Thursday's games. Daily Notes

NEWS AND NOTES

Troy Percival• Rays closer Troy Percival was not available to pitch Wednesday after experiencing tightness in his hamstring after Tuesday's outing.

David Eckstein• Toronto shortstop David Eckstein (hip flexor) will not come off the disabled list Thursday, as was expected. Instead, he will spend a few more days rehabbing his injury.

Moises Alou• Mets left fielder Moises Alou left Wednesday's game in the third inning because of cramping in his left calf.

THIS DATE IN MLB HISTORY (MAY 22)

• 1922: The Yankees, who had been sharing the Polo Grounds with Giants since 1913, began construction on their own stadium in the Bronx.

• 1990: In a 16-inning contest against the Reds at Wrigley Field, Cubs' right fielder Andre Dawson was walked intentionally five times. The five intentional passes in one game established a major league record.

• 1999: After a stint on the disabled list and a rainout, Yankees' righty Roger Clemens finally broke the American League record for consecutive victories with 19.