Braves Are Coming Home

The Atlanta Braves are heading back home for their last two games of the spring season. The Braves play tonight at 7:10 and tomorrow at 1:10.

This would be a great chance to see the Braves before they make their final roster moves. Who will start in centerfield? Remains the largest question left for the spring season. A report from TalkingChop.com says Atlanta almost acquired Jason Repko from the Dodgers to platoon in center. Atlanta needs to stick with the two guys they could possibly have in center, however they both hit left-handed. I can see the Braves concern with all the possible lefties in the lineup. Atlanta already has one outfield platooned position-and I'm not going to pay my money to see Jason Repko (a Kotsay type of player) patrol centerfield.

The Braves will send Javier Vazquez to the mound tonight. Tomorrow will dawn the likes of Kenshin Kawakami for the first 4 or 5 innings followed by top pitching prospect Tommy Hanson for the remainder of the game.

Hanson Set For Return To Atlanta

Tommy Hanson will be back in Atlanta to pitch the last 4 innings on Saturday, April 5th. The last exhibition game of the season will be played at Turner Field. The Braves open the season the next night in Philly. Bobby Cox does not want to use any of his relievers Saturday night, who knows who he'll need to throw on Sunday. I have complete faith in Sunday's opening night starter, Derek Lowe, however once the bullpen enters the game, it could be a round robin to get through the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings.

Tommy Hanson will begin the season at triple-A Gwinnett. Hanson's first scheduled start at home for Gwinnett would be April 20th.

Kenshin Kawakami is scheduled to start the exhibition game on Saturday. Kawakami's first regular season appearance, based on speculation, would be Saturday, April 11th.

Hopefully the weather cooperates for the exhibition game on Saturday night.