OPENING DAY!

It's a few minutes after the bewitching hour here in Atlanta and just finished watching the Red Sox/Yankees opening night game. I have to be honest, very disappointing. Both teams looked bad. CC Sabathia and Josh Beckett looked like they were still trying to pitch to the Single A talent they have been getting used to over the course of the last month and both bullpens were not that sharp. I'm glad the Sox won for my buddy Mike and the bar we used to go to sold Bud heavy in the bottle for $2 in his memory. Awesome move from the guys at Loco's on St. Simons Island.

Now onto the matter at hand: IT'S OPENING DAY!!! I cannot wait to take the MARTA train down to The Ted to go run around the stadium like a 3rd grader, honestly I am. The GF and I will be there in our newest of Braves clothing bought today.

Today at 4:10 pm, Derek Lowe is scheduled to make the first pitch of the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs season. For the players taking the field I am guessing that McLouth will start in Center Field, even though he has had some right hamstring soreness over the last few days. New addition Melky Cabrera will be starting in Left Field today, he is a switch hitter and the Cubs starting pitcher, Carlos Zambrano, is a right hander. Matt Diaz will be the starter on days the Braves play left handed pitching. Bobby has promised that all his Outfielders will get plenty of At Bats. Jason Heyward is our new starting Right Fielder and from the buzz around here in Atlanta, people are ready for this kid to preform on the big stage. The infield will go as usual around the horn: Chipper at Third, Escobar at Short, Prado at Second and our 11th opening day starter at First, Troy Glaus. McCann will be calling the game and good ol' Derek Lowe will try to toss like he did opening day last year against the Phillies

in an 8-inning shutout victory.

My Projected Line-Up:

1. Melky Cabrera- LF

2. Martin Prado- 2B

3. Chipper Jones- 3B

4. Troy Glaus- 1B

5. Brian McCann- C

6. Yunel Escobar- SS

7. Jason Heyward- RF

8. Nate McLouth- CF

9. Derek Lowe- P

Like a lot of teams, health will be the issue of the year for our boys of summer. Wagner, Hudson, Glaus, McLouth and Chipper's health will be scrutinized on a daily basis by all the bloggers, radio and TV personalities. If Jason Heyward has a year like Jordan Schafer did last year, will Braves Nation start sprinting toward a cliff? Only time will tell dear readers.

So in closing, pray for pitching, be proud of the Tomahawk Chop, and if you need a smile, just remember when Sid Slid.