"This could be the Braves' year" (MLB.com)
Tarkus
But they'll have to go up against tough Chicago pitching
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
PHILADELPHIA -- While so often the ultimate goal has eluded them, the
Braves always anticipate October with the thought that this year will be
their year.
With an incredible offense and a strong cast of frontline starting
pitchers, this year may indeed be the year the Braves conquer their
playoff demons and claim their second World Series title since they began
an unprecedented run of 12 consecutive division championships in 1991.
"I just like everything about this team," said Braves manager Bobby Cox,
who has captained this impressive ship to the World Series five times
since assuming his current position midway through the 1990 season.
Cox's troops have not been back to the Fall Classic since being swept by
the Yankees in 1999, and if they are to return this year they must first
get through a pitching-rich Cubs team that they will welcome to Turner
Field for Game 1 of the Division Series on Tuesday night.
"They have a pretty good team, but you got to think about the fact that
they are a team that recruited players from different teams during the
season," Javy Lopez said of the Cubs, who benefited from late-season
acquisitions like Kenny Lofton, Aramis Ramirez and Randall Simon.
NLDS schedule
Cubs vs. Braves
Tues., Sept. 30 Cubs at Braves, 8:18 p.m., FOX
Wed., Oct. 1 Cubs at Braves, 7:06 p.m., ESPN
Fri., Oct. 3 Braves at Cubs, 8:06 p.m., ESPN
Sat., Oct. 4 Braves at Cubs*
Sun., Oct. 5 Cubs at Braves*
Marlins vs. Giants
Tues., Sept. 30 Marlins at Giants, 4:06 p.m., ESPN
Wed., Oct. 1 Marlins at Giants, 4:06 p.m., ESPN
Fri., Oct. 3 Giants at Marlins, 4:06 p.m., ESPN2
Sat., Oct. 4 Giants at Marlins*
Sun., Oct. 5 Marlins at Giants*
*- If necessary. All times Eastern.
"It's not like this team that has been together since day one. There's no
way they can beat us as united as we are. Our chemistry is totally
different than theirs. There's no doubt they have a great team. Their
pitching speaks for itself. But it's all about teamwork."
Throughout this year, the MVP-caliber exploits of Lopez and Gary
Sheffield have caused most of the attention surrounding the Braves to
focus on their offense. But the most important constant during this
unprecedented run has been Cox, who sets the framework for a harmonious
clubhouse.
"If your lifestyle or preparation isn't there, eight other guys can't
make up for that," said John Smoltz, who has been with Cox throughout the
run. "That's the No. 1 reason why, year after year, we're in this
position. Every year, we make sure that guys are prepared to play hurt
and play the right way. If you do that, you're going to come out on top."
From 1995, when Wild Card entrants became a part of the postseason,
through 1999, the Braves were annual participants in the National League
Championship Series. But in two of their past three years, they have been
bounced from the Division Series.
Sheffield, who could be playing his final weeks in a Braves uniform,
wants to ensure there is not a repeat performance this season.
"Everybody knows what this means," Sheffield said. "Everybody knows
what's at stake. You don't want to go down and have them saying 'they had
12 tries and won only one ring.'"
For more than a decade, the Braves have been centered around a strong
pitching staff and when they have faltered in October, the blame has
often been pointed toward the offense.
But this year's NL East Division champions developed a new identity in
the post-Tom Glavine era this year. While Russ Ortiz became a 20-game
winner for the first time, Greg Maddux won 15 again and Mike Hampton
resurrected his career, it was the offense that carried the load and
created the world championship buzz in Atlanta back in the early part of
the season.
"We need to win," said Lopez, who was one of six Braves to hit at least
20 homers this year. "We finally got the best offense in both leagues. We
have no excuse this year. In years past, we have struggled with our
hitting and haven't scored runs. This year, we've got the team ... This
year there is no reason we shouldn't win."
Smoltz, who has the qualifications and service time to be termed a
postseason expert, has enjoyed watching his offense rewrite the franchise
record book. But he's learned from experience that anything can happen in
October.
"It's fun and it's frustrating, because one would think based on what
we've done all season that, that was going to continue in a short
series," Smoltz said. "But it doesn't happen that way."
Thus, with Smoltz and a team laden with postseason experience, the big
picture will become a little smaller when Kerry Wood opposes Ortiz in a
playoff opener that will set the tone toward determining whether or not
this is indeed the year Atlanta celebrates again.
"I'm just looking at it as we have to win whatever means necessary,"
Sheffield said. "I'm not looking at matchups or how the season went. All
I know is that we have to worry about Game 1 and winning that game."
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the
approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
--
"In a short series it does matter, I'm not going to sugarcoat that.
But if (Maddux) goes out and throws a shutout, who cares?"
- Gary Sheffield on who catches Greg Maddux in the postseason
Now playing: the radio
Tarkus
But they'll have to go up against tough Chicago pitching
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
PHILADELPHIA -- While so often the ultimate goal has eluded them, the
Braves always anticipate October with the thought that this year will be
their year.
With an incredible offense and a strong cast of frontline starting
pitchers, this year may indeed be the year the Braves conquer their
playoff demons and claim their second World Series title since they began
an unprecedented run of 12 consecutive division championships in 1991.
"I just like everything about this team," said Braves manager Bobby Cox,
who has captained this impressive ship to the World Series five times
since assuming his current position midway through the 1990 season.
Cox's troops have not been back to the Fall Classic since being swept by
the Yankees in 1999, and if they are to return this year they must first
get through a pitching-rich Cubs team that they will welcome to Turner
Field for Game 1 of the Division Series on Tuesday night.
"They have a pretty good team, but you got to think about the fact that
they are a team that recruited players from different teams during the
season," Javy Lopez said of the Cubs, who benefited from late-season
acquisitions like Kenny Lofton, Aramis Ramirez and Randall Simon.
"It's not like this team that has been together since day one. There's no
NLDS schedule
--
"Lemke was Babe Ruth. When I turn 80, if I get to 80, I will always
remember Lemke." - Barry Bonds on Mark Lemke in the postseason
Now playing: the radio