Tonight's Game 1 in Washington of Atlanta and Washington will mark Michael Bourn's debut in a Braves uniform after a trade was finalized from Houston over the weekend. Atlanta will bring a 63-46 losing 1 5-5 last 10 overall record into the series while Washington will bring a 51-56 winning 2 3-7 last 10 overall record into the series on a hot Monday night. Atlanta's lose on Sunday was the 10,000th in franchise history coming just weeks after the 10,00th win. If any one starting pitcher can prevent a 10,001th lose, it is Jurrjens. Jurrjens is 12-3 2.38 ERA this season and continues to be Atlanta's Ace even though he has fell off pace slightly since the All Star Break. He continues to be 9-2 in game ones of series and is 4-0 after 4 days rest. Furthermore he has a .174 ERA in 3 starts in Washington. Hernadez for the Nationals is 5-10 4.18 ERA and has lost 5 in a row. He has not won since late June and is 7-18 4.80 ERA career versus Atlanta. The Nationals are 3-13 overall in his last 16 starts. Bourn will look to add to his MLB's best 39 stolen bases in this series while also looking to hit safely in 13 of 14 games against Washington during his career. Uggla and Freeman continue to have hitting streaks with 22 games and 15 games respectively. Zimmerman is the big bat for Washington of late with .436 avergae in a nine game streak and has success against Jurrjens with a .370 lifetime average against him to his credit. Jurrjens should provide the command and control long enough for Atlanta to scratch out a few runs especially now with Bourn in the lineup. Hernadez's poor track record is too obvious to ignore even though the Nationals are 4-5 this season in this matchup. Source ESPN MLB Preview
BOURN INDIAN:
http://www.examiner.com/article/breaking-news-bourn-signs-a-four-year-deal-with-the-indians
[h=1]Breaking News: Bourn signs a four-year deal with the Indians (Photos)[/h]
Now, the Chicago Cubs have entered into the mix, according to ESPN's Buster Olney. But the speedy center fielder did not sign with either team.
He has signed a four-year deal with the Cleveland Indians. He will be paid $48 million dollars, including a vesting option for the 2017 season.
The vesting option is for $12 million dollars if he reaches 550 plate appearances in 2016. It is another big signing for the Indians, who have signed Nick Swisher, Trevor Bauer, Drew Stubbs, Jason Giambi, Mark Reynolds, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Matt Albers, and Bryan Shaw this winer. And they also decided to keep young shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to a long-term deal.
It has been tough for Bourn to sign a contract with a team since he is tied to the new draft pick compensation system. If he would have signed with the Mets, they would lose their 11th overall pick in this summer's draft. However, if he would have signed with the Cubs, it would only cost them a second round selection.
The Cubs management have been keeping an open line of communication with Bourn's agent Scott Boras. And if Bourn lowers his offer, the team would be able to pounce and sign him to a contract.
But the Indians came out of nowhere to sign Bourn. He will start in center field for the Tribe.
He had a .274 batting average with nine home runs and 57 RBI's last season with the Atlanta Braves. He also had 42 steals in a 155 games.
The Indians will have to get up their 2013 competitive balance pick for signing Bourn.
http://www.examiner.com/article/breaking-news-bourn-signs-a-four-year-deal-with-the-indians
[h=1]Breaking News: Bourn signs a four-year deal with the Indians (Photos)[/h]
- MLB
- February 11, 2013
- By: Anthony Caruso
Now, the Chicago Cubs have entered into the mix, according to ESPN's Buster Olney. But the speedy center fielder did not sign with either team.
He has signed a four-year deal with the Cleveland Indians. He will be paid $48 million dollars, including a vesting option for the 2017 season.
The vesting option is for $12 million dollars if he reaches 550 plate appearances in 2016. It is another big signing for the Indians, who have signed Nick Swisher, Trevor Bauer, Drew Stubbs, Jason Giambi, Mark Reynolds, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Matt Albers, and Bryan Shaw this winer. And they also decided to keep young shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to a long-term deal.
It has been tough for Bourn to sign a contract with a team since he is tied to the new draft pick compensation system. If he would have signed with the Mets, they would lose their 11th overall pick in this summer's draft. However, if he would have signed with the Cubs, it would only cost them a second round selection.
The Cubs management have been keeping an open line of communication with Bourn's agent Scott Boras. And if Bourn lowers his offer, the team would be able to pounce and sign him to a contract.
But the Indians came out of nowhere to sign Bourn. He will start in center field for the Tribe.
He had a .274 batting average with nine home runs and 57 RBI's last season with the Atlanta Braves. He also had 42 steals in a 155 games.
The Indians will have to get up their 2013 competitive balance pick for signing Bourn.
