A is for Atlanta

The Pirates play a night-and-day with Atlanta and then it's bring on the nappy Reds.

The Braves are beating up the rest of the NL East, winning about 2 of 3 against division opponents to date. They are hot, coming off a 7-3 stretch, and they just split a pair with Philadelphia. Last night's game went to extra innings so we hope they're still tired when the ump cries, "Play ball," tonight.

Atlanta sports a dangerous lineup. Rafael Furcal, that speedy middle infielder, often leads off. Little Giles is back to play the sparkplug in the two hole. An improbably healthy J.D. Drew has been cleaning up from the third spot. He's among the league leaders in HR, R, BB, OBP, and SLG. Next comes the 2004 edition of Chipper Jones, which has been pretty maimed and ineffective against right-handed pitching. Then Johnny Estrada, the Prince of Doubles, and Andruw "Gold Club" Jones. Andruw is no Dorian Gray and I don't know, but, you ask me, he looks like that fast living has taken its toll. The Braves also get tremendous production from two platoons. Adam Laroche and John Franco man first and Eli Marrero and Charles Thomas, a recent call-up who's been fantastic, alternate in the outfield.

Kris Benson couldn't ask for a better audition. GMs all over the league will want to see if he can carve up a lineup that is about as good as any in baseball. Atlanta counters with Paul Byrd, who has missed a lot of time with injury.

Tomorrow it's Kip Wells and Russ Ortiz, Atlanta's 11-game winner.