Braves Take Opening Series From Nationals

Tim Hudson sat down 17 in a row and the Braves' bats exploded against the Nats bullpen as Atlanta won the first series of the year in Washington.

Thoughts about the series:

*Braves fans know that taking two out of three in Washington is a big deal. The Nationals always give the Braves fits. They actually won the season series last year. If the Braves could have gotten a few good breaks on hard hit balls Saturday, they could easily have swept the series.

*Weird seeing Terry Pendleton at first base and no Glenn Hubbard.

*So far, so good on Fredi Gonzalez. It feels like a Bobby Cox team, and that is good. He pushed the right buttons today by lifting Hudson for a pinch-hitter in the six-run 8th inning.

*This might be the most likable team in baseball. What player on the team has the least bit of attitude or selfishness? The additions of Uggla and Freeman to the line-up only add to the likability.

*I like the batting order so far - Freeman in the 8th spot instead of Gonzalez or McLouth has him looking relaxed. Gonzalez is swinging a hot bat to start the year (.500 average & 1.000 slugging), McCann is driving in runs, and Chipper has picked right up from the hot spring. This line-up looks terrific right now even though today was the only offensive outpouring of the series.

*Rick Ankiel hurt us a bit in the series, but I'm glad he is a Nat and no longer a Brave. McLouth's ceiling is higher if he keeps swinging the bat like he did today. I'm also glad to see Werth in a Nationals' uniform instead of a Phillies' one.

*Tommy Hanson wasn't sharp on Saturday. Like a bunch of people, I'm expecting big things from him this year. That wasn't the start I was hoping for. Jurrjens went to the D.L. which is also not what I was hoping for (but I'm less surprised by that one). Looks like Mike Minor gets the start in Milwaukee for Jair.

*The Braves could easily have four All-Stars starters (Chipper, McCann, Uggla and Heyward) with Tim Hudson as the starting pitcher (a stretch since he's in the same league as Halladay, Lee and Lincecum, but Hudson is under-appreciated nasty). I'm just throwing that out there.

*With Beachy and Minor pitching in Milwaukee, a split of the four-game series would be great. The Braves have their fourth day game of the 4-game old season. First pitch at 2:10 tomorrow.