Braves through the first week

You have to put the bat on the ball.

That in itself explains the Braves first week and change. The pitching looks good and there have been flashes of brilliance on the offensive side of the ball, but overall they just haven't hit the ball well.

Here's a quick look at the Braves after their first 11 games:

They are 5-6 in 4th place, 2.5 games out of first place. However, it isn't because of lackluster pitching.

Derek Lowe: Lowe has a 1-2 record, but an ERA of 1.45. He has a 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio but has lacked run support.

Tim Hudson: Timmy has a 2-0 record and an ERA of 1.84. He has a 7:1 strikeout to walk ratio.

Tommy Hanson: Hanson has struggled to start the season, but he threw a shutout tonight and has look progressively better after each start.

Bullpen: The bullpen, with the exception of a collapse against Philadelphia, has been phenomenal. Johnny Venters has been nearly untouchable and Craig Kimbrel in his debut as closer is 3-3 in save opportunities. He also struck out 5 of the first 6 batters he faced.

The hitting has been the problem for Atlanta. Other than an 11-2 victory over Washington, a 6-3 win over the Phillies, and tonight's 5-0 win over the Marlins, the Braves have averaged 1.86 runs per game.

Brian McCann is hitting an impressive .350 and Chipper has a .308 average, but no one else on the team is hitting over .300.  Martin Prado is hitting .298 after a slow start (0-9), but not much else was clicking.

Jason Heyward has a team leading 3 HR and has an OPS of 1.065.

Martin is also doing a great job of adjusting to left field and occasionally playing third when Chipper needs a rest. He is not a fielding liability out there and has actually made some great plays.

Dan Uggla and Freddie Freeman are hitting .167 and .194 respectively, but Freeman is getting good contact on the ball and Uggla when he has hit it, has hit it far (2 HR).

I expect the Braves to finish strong on their stay at home with two more against the Marlins and a three-game series against the Mets. They then head out West to play the Giants, Padres and Dodgers, where things could get a bit tough.

The season is early and there is nothing to worry about. Look for Jair Jurrjens to come back from his injury here in the next week or so and for the bats to wake up.

Mark