After getting swept by the Marlins, the Braves hoped to turn it around and beat up on the Pirates. Unfortunately, that wasn’t meant to be. There were two problems that the Braves mainly faced last year, which, once again, manifested themselves tonight. What were they? The bullpen and the…offense? Ah, yes, the offense. I’m beginning to think that this is starting to become a problem. So, let’s get on with this.

Of course, these particular Pirates haven’t been cool since 1992.

Getting swept is always rough, especially this early on in the season. But all you can really do is chalk it up to bad luck and soldier on. Hopefully the Braves will be able to rebound in the next game and learn from their mistakes. I’d be more upset with this game if Kawakami hadn’t pitched, but, he did, and it’s interesting to see what he’s going to do.

Florida Marlins vs. Atlanta Braves - Box Score - April 16, 2009 - ESPN

Since the Marlins obviously have wrapped up the division, we need a win here to stay in wildcard position.

As I mentioned yesterday, the problem of the bullpen still seems to linger from last year. Well, once again tonight’s game bore witness to that. More interestingly, however, is the question of how the Marlins are 7-1 this season? Maybe it’s the shoddy play of their opponents? I guess we’ll find out in this recap. Onto the game.

Florida Marlins vs. Atlanta Braves - Box Score - April 15, 2009 - ESPN

We can’t lose this series! We can’t! The runaway Marlin train must be stopped!

There were a few fundamental problems with the Braves last year that seem to be resurfacing again, in part, during this season. I’m speaking mainly of the bullpen and the offense. Although the starting pitching wasn’t necessarily consistent last year, they seem to be doing pretty well now. Unfortunately, it’s the other problems that still plague the Braves.

Florida Marlins vs. Atlanta Braves - Box Score - April 14, 2009 - ESPN

Obviously, this is the most important second week of the season series in the history of baseball.

The Braves completed a sweep of the winless Nationals. The Braves have come out the gate as if they are Friesian Fire. Starting the year off at 5-1 for the first time since 2007, when the team started off 7-1. The hitting was the star today.

Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves - Box Score - April 12, 2009 - ESPN

Predict the lineup here!

Kenshin Kawakami. That’s basically who this game was about, even though it looked like he was going to have a rocky major league debut in the first few innings. But the Japanese-native turned that around and the offense had has back, so all was right in the world in helping the Braves’ record improve to 4-1. Here we go.

Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves - Box Score - April 11, 2009 - ESPN

Coming off a bit of an embarrassing loss against the Phillies on Thursday, the Braves were able to rebound and take out the Nationals in their home opener in an extra-inning show. Although it wasn’t as clean a win as a Braves’ fan could hope, they certainly got the job done, despite a thunderstorm being thrown into the mix.

Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves - Box Score - April 10, 2009 - ESPN

Seen it.

Only up to back up McCann until David Ross is healthy, and if the Braves have their way won’t even play. Sammons was pretty terrible in a late-season callup last year, .148/.220/.204, though this marked a vast improvement on the Hamster. That being said, you can’t really blame the Braves for looking elsewhere for a backup catcher.

Just when we thought everything was going well, the problems of last year began to rear their ugly head again. What was it this time? Well, stated eloquently, the fustercluck of a bullpen that this team has. There really is no good reason why the Braves should’ve lost this game, their first one of the year. A late comeback was also ineffective, already starting the 1-run loss total early in the season. So, off we go.

Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies - Box Score - April 08, 2009 - ESPN

Let me first start off by saying that I’m very happy with the way the season (2 games) has been going. The offense strikes early, the starting pitching holds the other team in check, and the bullpen does a pretty good job at not losing. Yeah, I’d have to say that this is completely unlike last season. So, onto tonight.

Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies - Box Score - April 07, 2009 - ESPN

Guys, you do know that you’re allowed to keep scoring runs after you get an early lead, right? We’ve been over this.

A new year, a new forum, a new team, and new hope for a season to remember. I do not know where to begin. What a great way to begin the season. A victory over the defending world champion Phillies. The bats started out with a bang, having hit a trio of home runs by the time the second inning had ended. But as loudly as the bats began the game, they were the polar opposite the rest of the way. All four of the runs that the Braves scored were scored in the first two innings.

Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies - Box Score - April 05, 2009 - ESPN