Last week, That Balls Outta Here started a segment that has now been named: Around the Division. Last week featured TBOH interviewing Milo Taibi, from Rising Apple, the New York Mets blog. This week will feature Dan T, from Tomahawk Take, and his thoughts on the Braves, and Phillies. Let’s get it started!
TBOH: How have the recent moves affected the Braves everyday play?Â
TT:  Not much. The Braves got a decent center fielder and former All Star, but he’s still a guy who to date has had one good year. Nate McClouth was the best available at the time and he should be a decent fit for the Braves, who seriously lack power. Letting Tommy Glavine go and bringing up Tommy Hanson had to happen. Glavine was not going to be productive for the Braves, who remain under .500.Â
TBOH: Are their any major improvements the Braves need to make to get back on track to catch the Phils and the Mets?Â
TT: The Braves need a big-time power hitter. They ought to consider trading Jeff Francoeur because it looks like he lost his luster. They have no power and no speed. A true lead-off man would be a steal threat and the Braves haven’t had one in years. The rotation seems solid and does OK and the bullpen has what it takes to close out games. So, if the Braves still had Texeirra and could get a true lead-off hitter such as Jacoby Ellsbury, then I think they would be strong.Â
TBOH: The Braves bullpen looks lights out so far this year, do you think that they can stay on the pace that they are going for the whole season, or do you foresee some setbacks?Â
TT: There’s a few guys in that bullpen, namely Jeff Bennett, who scare the heck out of me. The bullpen is good. But if a pitcher is shelled early and the Braves have to use a rotation of three or four relievers, it won’t be pretty. If they can get to the 8th up by two runs, they have two guys who can almost always end the game.Â
TBOH: What has happened to Jordan Shaffer? It looks like he has really tailed off after killing the Phillies in the opening series!Â
TT: Who knows. It was disappointing because the Braves could really use a guy from the farm system to light it up. He looked good that first week and then horrible the rest. I had high hopes for him and would give him one more year. Tommy Hanson looks decent so that’s some good news, but the Braves were really banking on Schaffer doing something for them this year.
TBOH: What is your take on the Phillies, and do you have any suggestions on what they could improve upon, what pieces they should add at the trade deadline?Â
TT: I like Chase Utley a lot and I could see him carrying a lot of teams. The Phillies do not look dominating, but it is still early. I was surprised they won the World Series last year, but that doesn’t matter. They have power and they have guys who hit for average. The bullpen is a bit shaky. The Phillies would love to fill in a hole in their bullpen I would bet.Â
So there you have it. Here is what the Phillies have to look forward to the next time they play the Braves. Now when you are watching the games, you know what to look for, and will be thinking to yourself what the Phillies should do  to win the game.
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