Bloggin' the Braves- Game 2- NLDS

Well Ladies and Gents....where are all those folks who had given up on the Braves after game one now?  I said early on that I liked our chances in a five game series because we could possibly pull the game one starter a little early and then get him to go again in game 4 if need be on short rest.  That game 1 starter turned out to be Lowe and Bobby has the ability to do just that.  Last night it wasn't so much our starter in Hanson that stood up and took notice but our bullpen.  I tell you what folks, if you can"t watch the Braves and get excited about the future then you don't have a pulse if you are a Braves fan.  We have some young studs on this team right now...both in the field and in the bullpen and I look forward to these guys growing up together and seeing how they gel as a team.  Anyway, back to the present.  Two big things to take away from the game last night....monster blast by Rick Ankiel and injury to Billy Wagner.  What a great story for Ankiel.  The last time he was in the playoffs he was pitching for the Cardinals against the Braves and had some massive control issues and actually started a tailspin that would take him back to Triple A and then finally making it back to the majors as an outfielder, coming to the Braves and then hitting a MONSTER shot last night to win it for the Braves in extra innings.  Great story.  Now, for Billy Wagner.  Looks like he's got a problem with the old oblique and may be replaced by either Jurrjens or Saito.  Before we start jumping off bridges onto the connector in Atlanta, don't forget that we have some very good, young arms in that bullpen in Kimbrel and Venters.  If we could in fact get JJ back for some mid-relief and he can be "vintage JJ" for maybe two or three innings, we could be ok.

I'm not ready to circle the wagons yet.  I think we still have a very good shot at winning this round against the Giants, it's the next round that worries me.  The Phils are playing like they are on crack.  Their offense is peaking at just the right time and don't even get me started on their pitching!  If the Braves can make it to the NLCS and then win it...this would by far be the best managing performance ever by Bobby Cox and perhaps any manager.  Just remember what I said though Braves fans...as the series get longer, it's going to get harder for us with the lack of starters that we have.  Who knows though...these Braves don't give up!  Look forward to seeing you at Turner Field tomorrow night to root the Bravos on to another home victory!