Libid21 Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Cox tabs Lowe to start opening day5:45 pm February 28, 2010, by David O'BrienLake Buena Vista, Fla. – Ten weeks after the Braves gave up trying to trade Derek Lowe, manager Bobby Cox named him their opening day starter.The surprising announcement that Lowe would start the April 4 opener at Turner Field against the Chicago Cubs was made on Sunday, weeks before Cox has named an opening day starter in previous years.“I wanted to do a good job with the reporters in my last year,” quipped Cox, who plans to retire from managing after the 2010 season.Jair Jurrjens’ sore shoulder and the team’s plan to get extra rest for Tim Hudson in the early season played in the decision. But it was also a vote of confidence in Lowe, the focus of trade rumors for much of the offseason.“He was our winningest pitcher,” Cox said of the 36-year-old right-hander. “Last year against Philadelphia [on opening day] he pitched eight shutout innings and gave up two hits. And he’s a veteran.”Lowe went 15-10 in the first year of a four-year, $60 million contract, but his 4.67 ERA was far and away the highest among regular Braves starters. His .301 opponents’ batting average tied for the second-worst among National League starters.The Braves plan to start Jurrjens in the second game April 7 against Chicago, after an off day in the schedule in case of an opening-day rainout. Tommy Hanson is scheduled to start the April 8 series finale against the Cubs, and Hudson would make his season debut in the April 9 series opener at San Francisco.The plan is to bring back Lowe on regular rest for Game 5 at San Francisco before Kenshin Kawakami makes his first start April 11 in the sixth game of the season.Jurrjens was 14-10 with a staff-best 2.60 ERA last season, but he’s been slowed in spring training by shoulder inflammation. Jurrjens is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session Monday and could be ready to pitch in a Grapefruit League game next week.Cox indicated that if Jurrjens had been healthy, he would have been considered for the opening start. “But I like Lowe right now,” Cox said. “We think we match up with anybody, that [the order] doesn’t really matter.”Hudson went 2-1 with a 3.67 ERA in seven late-season starts after returning from a year-long recovery for ligament-transplant elbow surgery. Cox said Hudson would get an extra day of rest before each of his final two Grapefruit League starts and his first two starts in the regular season.“We’re trying to take care of Hudson in the first part of the season, to keep him strong and ready for the stretch drive,” Cox said. “And we can give Hanson and Jurrjens more days [rest] in the second half. That’s the theory. There’s that madness behind it.”Cox stressed that the plan was tentative and might have to be adjusted if Jurrjens has any setbacks in his recovery from shoulder inflammation. But for now, the Braves believe Jurrjens has plenty of time to get ready for the regular season.This will be the fifth opening-day start in six years for Lowe, who was charged with four hits, two runs and no walks in eight innings of a 4-1 win at Philadelphia last opening day. He had been 0-3 with an 8.44 ERA in three previous opening-day starts.“There’s an honor to it,” Cox said of being named to start on opening day. “Lot of first-game jitters, excitement. You’ve got to have the right makeup to handle that. He can pitch big games, that’s for sure.”The Braves sought to trade a starter this winter to open a spot and clear up some payroll after signing Hudson to a three-year extension. But they couldn’t trade Lowe without eating a large portion of the $45 million he’s still owed.They traded Javier Vazquez instead, after he went 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA and finished fourth in the Cy Young Award balloting. Vazquez had one year at $11.5 million left on his contract. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slamee101 Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ugadawg Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 The reasoning sounds about right. If JJ had been healthy maybe. Hanson does not need the added pressure and with this Huddy can grab some extra rest in the early goings. Sounds like a good plan in theory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K26dp Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Since it matters not one whiff who starts on Opening Day, I have no problem with this. The reasoning is sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iQue Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 It makes a lot of sense and I believe it will help Lowe's confidence and motivation heading into the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.C. Collins Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Yeah, not a bad decision and he did dominate in the opening game last season. I am just ready for the season to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slamee101 Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 I definitely understand the reasoning...I just have zero faith in D. Lowe and I expect him to struggle again this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keller24VT Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 The Opening Day start is more of an reward or honor than anything else. With the off-days and possible rain outs the rotation and pitching matchups will be altered accordingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknøwn Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Opening day was the best outing he had all year last year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pr0d1gy Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 I hope Cox acts like a douch3bag his last year. If he were coaching the Yankees or Red Sox he would still be considered the best coach in the league. Screw our ownership and screw all of you who hate on Bobby. It isn't his fault our hitters couldn't step up in the playoffs back in the 90's, they just weren't that good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Libid21 Posted March 6, 2010 Author Share Posted March 6, 2010 I hope Cox acts like a douch3bag his last year. If he were coaching the Yankees or Red Sox he would still be considered the best coach in the league. Screw our ownership and screw all of you who hate on Bobby. It isn't his fault our hitters couldn't step up in the playoffs back in the 90's, they just weren't that good.So you want him to "act like a *********"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pr0d1gy Posted March 6, 2010 Share Posted March 6, 2010 So you want him to "act like a *********"?**** yes. I want him to be completely honest and sarcastic all year. I want him to get tossed from no less than 20 home games, especially once we start falling away from the Phillies in the standings. I hope he gives the owners ****, they deserve it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slamee101 Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 I know it's spring training but...Low gave up 3 ER in the 1st on 5 hits to a Mets lineup with no Wright, Bay, or Frenchy. (or Reyes if I'm not mistaken). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K26dp Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Well, if Francouer wasn't in the line-up, that would improve the Mets chances of success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Fanatic Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Well if candy *** Derek "Mr Blister" Lowe is the best we have expect a long long year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K26dp Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Well if candy *** Derek "Mr Blister" Lowe is the best we have expect a long long year.Do you think Derek Lowe is the best pitcher on the Braves? Also, have you ever pitched with a blister?And how do you know Lowe has a "candy ***"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknøwn Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 Yes a blister keeping someone out sounds stupid but its a big issue when you have to hold the ball a certain way and throw it 100 times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Fanatic Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Do you think Derek Lowe is the best pitcher on the Braves? So you wouldn't put your best pitcher out there on opening day? Sure you would even if you are a jughead named K26dp you would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrockSamson Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 So you wouldn't put your best pitcher out there on opening day? Sure you would even if you are a jughead named K26dp you would.I would. K26 probably would. But clearly the Braves aren't this season. JJ and Hudson are certainly better than Lowe and Hanson looks like he is as well. Sometimes you have to soothe egos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K26dp Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 So you wouldn't put your best pitcher out there on opening day? Sure you would even if you are a jughead named K26dp you would.Being a jughead named K26dp, I know the following:1. Jurrjens is a better pitcher than Lowe. He's also coming back from tendenitis, and may not be ready for an opening day assignment. 2. Hudson is also a better pitcher than Lowe. He's also 18 months removed from Tommy John surgery, and could probably stand with a little extra rest early in the season.3. Hanson is also a better pitcher than Lowe. He's also young and may not be ready for the pressure of being the opening day guy. Starting him in Game 2 still will give him 35 starts in the regular season, which it what matters the most.4. Medlen may be a better pitcher than Lowe, but he's slated to start in the bullpen.5. Kawakami may or may not be a better pitcher than Lowe. When in doubt, go with the vet that's been there before.I also know that by the end of the season, it really doesn't matter who starts opening day. Naming Lowe the opening day starting pitcher doesn't proclaim him "the best we got".So yes, it makes sense for Lowe to start opening day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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