Just an Off Day Vent

There is nothing worse than an off day after a loss. To make things worse, I am forced to ponder the possibility of Chipper Jones going on the disabled list. It’s not that I’m trying to be negative, but it just seems like every time things are looking up, the bad news bus rolls in.

Just as the Phillies begin their downward slide, the Braves were supposed to be getting healthy. Mike Gonzalez came back, and has looked great. Mark Kotsay is ready to come off the DL, and Mike Hampton has been really good in rehab starts. Now the Braves have been blessed with a home series against Philly when the Phillies are playing their worst ball of the season.

So, just when I’m starting to get excited, that bus pulls up, and Chipper’s driving. It’s kinda like getting an ace at the blackjack table, but the second card is a deuce. Believe it or not, a Braves team with Chipper at third would actually have a chance of surpassing the Phillies by the All-Star break. Instead, it looks like he will be on the DL until a couple of days before the break.

The next two weeks could be the most important of the season. Besides the home series with the division leaders, the Braves also get the slumping Astros at home for three games, followed by a west coast trip to L.A. and San Diego. What better way to erase the negative vibes of the seasons first half than to win two series’ on the road. The Dodger’s can’t seem to get a hit, and the Padres are one of the worst teams in baseball. With Chipper out of the line-up, it’s likely that the Braves will follow suit and lose both.

Now there are two ways for me to look at the future. Either it’s just not the Braves’ year and I shouldn’t expect anything good to happen, or they are due for some good luck and things are about to turn around. I’m going with the latter.