Preview
With Braves, it's still about pitching
By Mark Bowman
MLB.com
Braves at a glance
Braves preview on MLB Radio
Braves General Manager John Schuerholz
ATLANTA -- For the first time in years, there are question marks surrounding the Braves starting rotation.
Throughout their run of 10 straight division titles, the Braves have been built on strong pitching. Veterans Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz have paced the Braves success.
But with Glavine and Maddux getting a bit older, Smoltz becoming the team's closer, and John Burkett defecting to Boston, there may be a scratch in the Braves armor. Joining Maddux and Glavine in the rotation for 2002 will be Jason Marquis, Kevin Millwood and Albie Lopez. All three have shown potential, but don't carry the certainty Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz have brought over the years.
"Some part of your team is always going to have question marks," Glavine said. "I guess you can say that some years we had no question marks on our staff when we headed to Spring Training. But that doesn't last forever. There are many teams that have question marks in their rotation after their number one guy. We've just been spoiled over the years."
It wasn't long ago that Millwood had no question marks surrounding him. Instead, there was nothing but promise from the strong right-hander after his dominant performances in 1998 and '99.
After winning 35 games in those two seasons, Millwood has won just 17 games over the course of the next two. Last year, he was 7-7 with a 4.31 ERA, having spent most of the season on the disabled list with an inflamed labrum.
"I have all the confidence in the world in Kevin," said Braves Manager Bobby Cox. "I think he'll come back as strong as ever."
Millwood has continued the rehab program that he went through when he was coming back from the injury. He said he expects the extra work to help him throw in the mid-90s when the season starts. When he was struggling, his velocity was around 86-88 mph.
"These last two years have been frustrating," he said. "I'm ready to get back out there and prove what I can do."
As for Marquis, he has shown promise in his first two seasons in the Majors. Last year, he went 5-6 with a 3.48 ERA, though at times proved he could be a big-game pitcher.
His first Major League start was May 12 against Kevin Brown at Dodger Stadium, and he allowed two hits in six scoreless innings. Later in the year, the New York City native started at Shea Stadium in the first professional sporting event held in the city after the Sept. 11 attacks. With emotions at a high, the 23-year-old allowed one run in six innings.
"The kid has proven that he is mentally strong," Cox said. "I'm expecting big things out of him."
Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone shares that confidence.
"The kid isn't stupid," Mazzone said. "He sits there and listens to Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine. He's learning from some of the best."
While Marquis has been learning from watching those three legends pitch, they too have seen some promise in Marquis.
"I think Jason will be one of the best pitchers in the game someday," said Glavine. "He has arguably the best stuff on the staff and gives you a fighting effort out there night in and night out."
Marquis said he's happy with his progress. But now that he has secured a spot in the rotation, he's not going to stop trying to learn ways to improve.
"This isn't the time to take it easy," Marquis said. "I know it can be taken away from me very easily."
While Marquis' youth and Millwood's health are big question marks, Lopez's inability to win seems to be his biggest liability. Last year, Lopez struggled with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks, going a combined 9-19 with a 4.81 ERA.
Ironically, two of his wins came against the Braves at Turner Field and Cox liked what he saw.
"I don't care what you say, Albie Lopez is not a 19-game loser," Cox said. "I like him a lot."
Cox is apt to say that about anyone who puts on a Braves uniform. But even with some question marks surrounding his starting rotation, there is a sense of confidence when you look into his eyes about this season.
"I like this team a lot," Cox said. "Really, you never know what you have until you get to Spring Training. That's when many of your questions are answered."
With Braves, it's still about pitching
By Mark Bowman
MLB.com
Braves at a glance
Braves preview on MLB Radio
Braves General Manager John Schuerholz
ATLANTA -- For the first time in years, there are question marks surrounding the Braves starting rotation.
Throughout their run of 10 straight division titles, the Braves have been built on strong pitching. Veterans Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz have paced the Braves success.
But with Glavine and Maddux getting a bit older, Smoltz becoming the team's closer, and John Burkett defecting to Boston, there may be a scratch in the Braves armor. Joining Maddux and Glavine in the rotation for 2002 will be Jason Marquis, Kevin Millwood and Albie Lopez. All three have shown potential, but don't carry the certainty Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz have brought over the years.
"Some part of your team is always going to have question marks," Glavine said. "I guess you can say that some years we had no question marks on our staff when we headed to Spring Training. But that doesn't last forever. There are many teams that have question marks in their rotation after their number one guy. We've just been spoiled over the years."
It wasn't long ago that Millwood had no question marks surrounding him. Instead, there was nothing but promise from the strong right-hander after his dominant performances in 1998 and '99.
After winning 35 games in those two seasons, Millwood has won just 17 games over the course of the next two. Last year, he was 7-7 with a 4.31 ERA, having spent most of the season on the disabled list with an inflamed labrum.
"I have all the confidence in the world in Kevin," said Braves Manager Bobby Cox. "I think he'll come back as strong as ever."
Millwood has continued the rehab program that he went through when he was coming back from the injury. He said he expects the extra work to help him throw in the mid-90s when the season starts. When he was struggling, his velocity was around 86-88 mph.
"These last two years have been frustrating," he said. "I'm ready to get back out there and prove what I can do."
As for Marquis, he has shown promise in his first two seasons in the Majors. Last year, he went 5-6 with a 3.48 ERA, though at times proved he could be a big-game pitcher.
His first Major League start was May 12 against Kevin Brown at Dodger Stadium, and he allowed two hits in six scoreless innings. Later in the year, the New York City native started at Shea Stadium in the first professional sporting event held in the city after the Sept. 11 attacks. With emotions at a high, the 23-year-old allowed one run in six innings.
"The kid has proven that he is mentally strong," Cox said. "I'm expecting big things out of him."
Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone shares that confidence.
"The kid isn't stupid," Mazzone said. "He sits there and listens to Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine. He's learning from some of the best."
While Marquis has been learning from watching those three legends pitch, they too have seen some promise in Marquis.
"I think Jason will be one of the best pitchers in the game someday," said Glavine. "He has arguably the best stuff on the staff and gives you a fighting effort out there night in and night out."
Marquis said he's happy with his progress. But now that he has secured a spot in the rotation, he's not going to stop trying to learn ways to improve.
"This isn't the time to take it easy," Marquis said. "I know it can be taken away from me very easily."
While Marquis' youth and Millwood's health are big question marks, Lopez's inability to win seems to be his biggest liability. Last year, Lopez struggled with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks, going a combined 9-19 with a 4.81 ERA.
Ironically, two of his wins came against the Braves at Turner Field and Cox liked what he saw.
"I don't care what you say, Albie Lopez is not a 19-game loser," Cox said. "I like him a lot."
Cox is apt to say that about anyone who puts on a Braves uniform. But even with some question marks surrounding his starting rotation, there is a sense of confidence when you look into his eyes about this season.
"I like this team a lot," Cox said. "Really, you never know what you have until you get to Spring Training. That's when many of your questions are answered."
