Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. From the “Shapiro Stinks Studios,” here we go…
Atlanta Braves’ Tim Hudson delivers a pitch to the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)Braves rollin’
Take that NL West. After taking three of four from the defending World Series champion Giants, the Braves swept Arizona out of Atlanta with a 1-0 masterpiece Sunday.
The pitching – Tim Hudson went seven innings before handing it over to the wonderful skills of the closeout wholesalers Venters & Kimbrel – was stellar. The defense – did you see the play Freddie Freeman made? – was stellar. The offense was just enough.
And, yes, the Phillies are cruising and scoring eight runs a game and thumping people. But playoff baseball is won with timely offense and shutdown bullpens. The Braves appear to have each of those traits in full.