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Braves Clippings Friday, April 8, 2016 Braves.com

Back where it all began, Francoeur grateful

Veteran appreciative of chance to return to hometown Braves

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | April 7th, 2016

ATLANTA -- When Jeff Francoeur strolled to the plate as a pinch-hitter during the eighth of Monday's Opening Day game against the Nationals, it was as if time stood still. The raucous hero's welcome he received served as a reminder that many fans still view him in the same beloved manner that they had back in 2005, when the hometown kid homered in Major League debut.

"Coming back, when I went up to bat [on Monday], I think it truly meant more to me than my first game here, when I walked up to the plate and a home -- just from the sole fact of where everything has gone and where I've been," Francoeur said. "To finally come back here, it's like I never gave up."

Those who knew Francoeur as the suburban Atlanta multisport high school phenom who graced the cover of Sports Illustrated a month after making his big league debut did not anticipate how the script unfolded over most of the past decade. There was no reason to believe this kid who was destined for stardom would be forced to navigate a humbling path and eventually return home with extreme appreciation for his new role as a backup for the Braves.

"Now I'm going to be ready to do whatever I have to do," Francoeur said. "I didn't always have that attitude."

Seven years after seeing his first tenure with the Braves end with an unexpected midseason trade to the Mets, the 32-year-old Francoeur understands that he put far too much pressure on himself -- especially when his offensive production began to decline in 2008. During the ensuing journey with six other Major League clubs (the Mets, Rangers, Royals, Giants, Padres and Phillies) and one Minor League affiliate (the ), Francoeur found himself and benefited from a harsh wakeup call delivered by his wife.

Catie Francoeur has been part of this journey dating back to the days she shared with Jeff at Parkview High School. She has lived the highs, dealt with the lows and brought the couple's two children into the world. Along the way, she has been a patient and supportive spouse who has been willing to point harsh realities when necessary.

During the early stages of the 2014 season at the -A level for the Padres, Francoeur and his El Paso teammates traveled to Las Vegas for a three-game that coincided with Easter weekend. After watching Jeff's average dip below .200 with an 0-for-5 performance in a lopsided Chihuahuas victory, Catie helped Jeff get back on the path that has brought him to this second chance with the Braves.

"I'll never forget it," Francoeur said. "She was like, 'Hey listen, get your head out of your [butt], and play if you want to play. If not, we need you at home to be a dad to start the next part of your career.' It hit me like a ton of bricks. I was like, 'Holy crap.' When we flew out the next day and went to Sacramento, it was a new me."

After being humbled by the experience of spending most of 2014 in the Minors, Francoeur was rejuvenated by the confidence and comfort he regained while spending all of last season appreciating every he had as a backup outfielder for the Phillies.

The past two years have unexpectedly ushered Francoeur toward the chance to experience a happy ending and savor moments like Monday, when he listened to the loud ovation, gathered himself long enough to draw a walk and crossed the plate with a run that gave the Braves a short-lived lead.

"It was honestly overwhelming," Francoeur said. "When they started cheering for me, I was like, 'Oh my, I still have to hit.' I can't just wave my hat and walk off. It would have been a perfect ending to win that game, but it doesn't always happen like that."

At this stage, Francoeur can appreciate what happens, even if the script does not unfold as perfectly as envisioned.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Healthy Freeman is Braves’ best news so far

By David O’Brien

They got quality starts from Julio Teheran and Bud Norris, good work from a many have fretted over, great glovework from Ender Inciarte, and four hits including a homer from new cleanup hitter Adonis Garcia.

But perhaps the most encouraging development out of the Braves’ first two games, as it was from , is the good health of Freddie Freeman. Or, put another way, the lack of anything newsworthy regarding his right wrist.

Freeman is the Braves’ best hitter, their only exceptional all-around hitter. With the additions of top-of-the-order guys Ender Inciarte and Erick Aybar and a full season of Garcia at third base, the Braves have a chance to be an improved offense over the past two seasons, when they scored a majors-low 1,146 runs, which was 89 runs fewer below the next-lowest total in that two-year span.

That chance doesn’t exist without Freeman, who missed 44 games last season for two stints on the disabled list. His troublesome right wrist/hand injuries lingered through December and kept him from taking any live batting practice until spring training began.

Then he took a few sessions of batting practice, hit a frozen-rope in his first at-bat of the Grapefruit League , homered in his second game, and proceeded to hit four homers among his eight hits at spring training, along with 14 walks for a .423 OBP and .579 .

Braves veteran compared Freeman to a former teammate, now-retired Braves great , who was known for his ability to flourish at the plate immediately after DL stints late in his career — sometimes without any minor-league rehab assignment whatsoever, which would be unheard of for most players.

“They’re guys who can hit rolling out of bed,” Johnson said. “They’re strong, and their bad speed is second to none. When they one, and when they get hot … they’re just never far off from feeling good. Even if they’re not getting hits, they’re not far off from being dangerous. And their hot streaks are second to none.”

Two days before spring training began, the Braves announced an ease-into-it plan for Freeman. They wanted to make sure not to push him and risk aggravating that wrist and having it linger into the season. But Freeman didn’t do much easing, and didn’t have any setbacks.

Then he homered Monday off Nationals Max Scherzer in the first inning on opening day, the first time he’d ever faced the three-time All-Star and former Cy Young Award winner.

It doesn’t take long for those who’ve been around baseball a while to recognize Freeman is special, and it has nothing to do with the franchise- record eight-year, $135 million contract extension he signed in February 2014.

“He’s got lightning-quick hands, he’s got a little uppercut which, that’s just the way his swing is,” said Braves hitting Kevin Seitzer, who describes work with Freeman as light maintenance, since Seitzer doesn’t need to or want to adjust his pretty swing. “You just try and make little tweaks and adjustments, it’s not something that you go into too much depth with him, because he’s just not that type of guy.”

Seitzer himself is a former All-Star, Rookie of the Year runner-up, .295 career hitter in 12 seasons, and ex-teammate and protégé of legendary Royals hitter George Brett. I asked him if Freeman, an NL Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2011, two-time All-Star and .284/.366/.466 career hitter who averaged nearly 21 homers over the past five seasons, had the talent to be a truly elite hitter.

“No question,” Seitzer said. “I mean, I feel like he is now. He’s an excellent breaking-ball hitter, very quick on the , he stays on the heater, recognizes off-speed really well, and he’s really good at hitting secondary pitches. The key for him is just making sure he stays healthy with that hand.”

During spring training I asked Dansby Swanson, the Braves’ top-rated prospect and the No. 1 overall pick in the June 2015 draft by the Diamondbacks, about Swanson’s improved performance, offensively and defensively, after a few weeks in his first major league camp. I asked him if it was from getting more comfortable.

“I think the word would be, just getting back in rhythm a little bit,” said Swanson, a former Vanderbilt star. “Baseball takes time. There’s some people, like Freddie — Freddie’s a freak. Hadn’t been able to hit as much with his wrist last season, comes in and first at-bat (at spring training) hits a double. It’s like, good gosh. That guy, he’s above and beyond.”

With Freeman in the lineup, opposing have a hitter to be seriously concerned about, a hitter who can do damage with one swing at any time. A hitter who, even in his injury-plagued 2015 season, hit .276 with 18 homers and an .841 OPS, and, oh, by the way, led the major leagues with a .376 average with runners in , ahead of (.373) and Miguel Cabrera (.365).

Without Freeman in the lineup? Without him the Braves just don’t have a good lineup. Or a hitter pitchers fear (though Garcia is showing he might become that). Besides Freeman, they don’t have another hitter who had more than 10 home runs last season, or another who hit more than one homer this past spring training for the Braves. “He’s a huge piece,” Seitzer said. “Any time a team loses its best hitter, it’s a big shot. The biggest thing for me (is to keep him healthy, not overwork him). He does just the right amount of work to get his feel going, and then head out. It’s something this spring that we really focused on, quantity. Keeping the reps down, keeping him loose and getting him ready, and then go. He’s in a good place.”

That’s what the Braves want to hear. They need Freeman healthy for the whole season. They all know it.

“He’s our guy, the 3-4-hole guy you’re going to lean on,” Johnson said. “Honestly, he’s the one guy that, when he’s in there, it’s going to put everyone else in a spot that’s better for the team and better for each individual. That’s huge. When we lose him at any point, or he takes a day to rest or whatever, it’s tough. It’s a noticeable absence.”

Meet the Braves: Tyler Flowers

By Michael Cunningham - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series introducing players on the 2016 Braves.

BRAVES C TYLER FLOWERS

Which model bat do you use?

I use a couple. Usually it’s a MaxBat. This year I am mixing in this one, it’s called a Tucci. Last year I borrowed one from a teammates and had a good month with it. You know how baseball players are. ‘Oh, I had a good month. OK, I’ll order a dozen.’

What will be your walk-up music?

I don’t know yet. I’m not afraid to be a little unique with it. Atlanta is my hometown so I’ve got to keep it hometown-oriented. (Flowers grew up in Roswell, where he attended Blessed Trinity High School.) I’ve had Color Me Badd in the past. Remember that?

What do you know about baseball now that you didn’t know when you signed?

There’s a lot. I didn’t catch back then so that’s all new. How many 162 games really is. You think you know but you don’t know until you go through it.

What do you like to do for fun?

Now I’ve got three kids so that’s most of it. I enjoy cars. Driving in them, riding in them, working on them, reading about them.

What do you like about the current state of baseball?

It’s a good business. We’ve been able to keep the interest of the world, which is good. Not just for current players but the future of the game. We’ve continued to evolve. You see how talented the players we have now are so there’s no telling what the future will bring. We’ve been able to keep people passionate about the game.

What is your favorite baseball movie?

Probably “The Sandlot.” That’s a good one.

What do you remember about your first big league ?

The biggest thing I remember is I gave the bat and ball to my mom and dad.

Meet the Braves: Mallex Smith

By Michael Cunningham - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a series introducing the 2016 Braves.

BRAVES OF PROSPECT MALLEX SMITH

Which model bat do you use?

It’s a B45 (model) 318. It’s real hard. The birch doesn’t give easily. It’s a very dependable bat. Xavier Avery showed it to me about two years and I just liked the way it felt. What will be your walk-up music?

Everybody keeps asking me that. I’m trying to keep that a secret right now. It will be a surprise to people when I show up (in the majors).

What do you know about baseball now that you didn’t know when you signed?

I didn’t’ know how many minor league levels there were. I didn’t grow up watching baseball. Learning the ins and outs of it and the level of progress. The everyday grind. My biggest shock was showing and playing a full (pro) season. There were parts of my body that were hurting and felt like they were about to shut down. That was the biggest eye-opener. It’s a different type of grind. It can wear on you.

What do you like to do for fun?

I like to go find a nice, soft couch and a nice big TV and not even turn the TV on. Just sit there and look at it and breathe and maybe sleep. And then wake up. That’s what I like to do for fun.

What do you like about the current state of baseball?

The game is more acquitted for (smaller) guys like me now. During the ‘steroid era’ it just became about long balls. Players like me were going extinct. But now my (type) player is very necessary now. I can score some runs for a guy like (Freddie) Freeman. Let him knock me in. If I can steal some bases it makes his job easier. We are working together instead of everyone trying to hit the long one.

Is there anything about the game you’d like to see better?

I would like to incorporate more bat flips in the game. A little more showmanship. That would be nice. It’s not going to go over well (in the majors). People’s feelings get hurt real easy here. The game is so tough, though, especially for a hitter. Soccer, they are celebrating when they score one goal. It’s hard to get a hit. Let me be happy about that.

What is your favorite baseball movie?

“Hardball,” easily. Just a group of young man out of the projects trying to play ball, stay out of trouble. They are just enjoying themselves. That’s the purest form of the game right there. You are out there with your friends. You are not worried about stats. You are just out there having fun.

You ever get a good baseball tip?

Stay relaxed. You play tomorrow. Don’t get to up or too down. You play tomorrow so there’s no need to get that frustrated. You are going to have some awful days. You are going to have some phenomenal days. You may have both at the same time so there is no reason to get too down. You are going to be playing sooner than later so there’s no need to hold on to what previously happened.

What do you remember about your first-ever home run?

I think my first home run was the day before my (11th) birthday. We were getting killed. My team was getting murdered. We were in first place and this team was in last place and they were kicking our butts. It was like 12-1. It was close to the end of the game and, crack, home run dead center. That was a good memory. But it sucked that I couldn’t celebrate. I had to act like it didn’t matter but latter it was ‘Mom, did you see it!’

Mallex Smith leads Gwinnett Braves to win

By Staff reports - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The G-Braves have one more win than the A-Braves.

And perhaps not coincidentally because the Gwinnett Braves have Mallex Smith.

Smith led off the game with a triple and scored on a groundout and starting Jhoulys Chacin made that run stand up as the Braves beat host Norfolk 2-0 in their season opener Thursday night.

Smith also had a double and scored both of Gwinnett's runs. He was 2-for-5 at the plate.

Chacin pitched 7 2/3 shutout , allowing five hits. He had seven and two walks.

Reid Brignac had an RBI hit for the Braves.

Right-hander starts for Gwinnett Friday night.

This date in Braves history: Rick Mahler, a no-hitter and Adam LaRoche

By Staff reports - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

On April 7:

29 years ago (1987): Steady pitcher Rick Mahler leads the Braves to a 6-0 win over the Phillies. It was his third career shutout on an Opening Day. Mahler died at age 51 in 2005 due to a heart attack.

37 years ago (1979): The Braves were no-hit by the Astros' Ken Forsch. The Braves' batters that were baffled: Jerry Royster, Glenn Hubbard, Gary Matthews, Jeff Burroughs, Mike Lum, , Barry Bonnell, Pepe Frias, Bob Beall, Rowland Office and Larry McWilliams.

12 years ago (2004): Braves Adam LaRoche collects the first two hits of his career in one inning. He singled and doubled in the fourth inning as the Braves routed the Mets.

Best Braves ballpark promotions in April

By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Braves will play 11 more home games at Turner Field this month.

Here are some of the best promotions you can still take part in if attending the games.

Friday, April 8

7:35 p.m., vs. St. Louis Cardinals: The first 45,000 fans will receive a Georgia Power magnetic schedule.

Saturday, April 9

7:10 p.m., vs. St. Louis Cardinals: The first 45,000 fans will receive a Georgia Power magnetic schedule.

Wednesday, April 20

7:10 p.m., vs. : The Braves honor the career of baseball legend .

Also, participants of the Braves' 2nd cornhole championship ($40 entry fee) will receive two tickets to the game, two Braves T-shirts and two Braves earbuds. The winning team receives two Chipper Jones replica jerseys and automatically qualifies for the championship round, to be played Sept. 29.

Friday, April 22

7:35 p.m., vs. : Each ticket comes with a voucher to pick up either one premium item ( jersey shirt, St. Patrick's Day hat, or Braves camouflage shirt), or any two select items (tote bag, 1984 Braves replica hat, or Braves sunglasses) from the Braves' grab bag, while supplies last.

Saturday, April 23

7:10 p.m., vs. New York Mets: The first 20,000 fans will receive a and "Famous Calls" Bobblehead.

Sunday, April 24

1:35 p.m., vs. New York Mets: Bark in the Park ticket package allows fans to bring their dog(s) to the stadium and will receive Braves dog leash. After the game, the Braves' Christian Rock Concert Series, a 60-minute postgame concert, will feature Christian hip-hop artist Toby Mac.

Yahoo! Sports

Braves pitcher John Gant just as confused as you about odd windup

By Chris Cwik

Atlanta Braves rookie reliever John Gant wasn't well known coming into the season, but that's probably about to change. Gant made his major- league debut Wednesday against the , tossing a scoreless ninth inning. In the box score, it looks like a normal relief appearance. Gant gave up one hit and struck out one batter. He tossed 14 pitches, 10 of which were strikes. Nothing crazy there, right? Then you turn on your TV in order to watch him and suddenly nothing makes sense anymore.

With pitcher Carter Capps currently sidelined due to surgery, Gant may have the strangest windup and delivery in the majors. He kicks things off (literally) with a high leg kick in order to get himself set. Then, he begins his actual leg kick and delivers the pitch.

Gant calls the initial leg kick a "false step," according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He also has "no idea" why he does it.

“I think it started in 2014 when I was in Savannah,” said Gant, who pitched for the Mets’ -A Savannah affiliate that season, posting a 2.56 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 123 innings over 21 starts. “One of my teammates, my , Colton Plaia, I think it was the day after one of my starts when he was imitating me, kind of making fun of me doing the little false-step leg kick that I do. I said, I don’t really do that. He said, ‘Yeah, you do,’ and everybody chimed in, like, yeah, that’s what you do.

“So from that point on, I guess I kind of noticed myself doing it, and it stuck.”

Amazingly, the delivery is completely legal. Gant's foot remains on the rubber the entire time, and he makes sure to set himself before beginning his actual windup. It's strange, but it complies with the rules. That's probably not going to stop opposing players and fans from screaming "" every time he takes the mound.

Whatever works for him, right? Hunter Pence has carved out a pretty nice career despite looking completely awkward on the field, so Gant can easily do the same. You probably won't see many coaches teaching young pitchers the Gant windup, but that won't matter as long as it's effective on the field

Marietta Daily Journal

Low bid for I-285 bridge at Braves development comes in at $10 million

Ricky Leroux

The lowest bid from construction companies to build the multi-use bridge proposed to span I-285 and connect the Cobb Galleria and the new stadium and mixed-use development came in at just over $10 million.

The bidding information comes from the agenda for the county commission’s agenda for its meeting on Tuesday, which was released today. The Board of Commissioners must vote to approve the contract before construction can begin.

According to the agenda, the lowest bid came from Northwest Express Roadbuilders. The company is a joint venture of Archer Western and Hubbard Construction, the same company building the $834 million, “reversible” toll lanes that will run about 30 miles through Cobb and Cherokee Counties.

To fund construction, the county plans to use $5 million given by the Cumberland Community Improvement District, about $4.5 million in federal grants, $380,000 from the Atlanta Braves and about $159,000 from a special taxing district in Cumberland created to help fund the new Braves stadium’s construction, according to the agenda.

The bridge as currently designed will span about 1,110 feet and begin at a parking deck adjacent to the Cobb Galleria Centre with two lanes: one for pedestrians and bikes and the other for a shuttle vehicle. After crossing I-285, the shuttle lane of the 32-foot-wide bridge will end at Circle 75 Parkway, and the pedestrian lane will cross Circle 75 and end inside the Braves’ mixed-use development, known as The Atlanta.

The county hopes to start construction of the bridge this month and have the bridge open in time for Opening Day at SunTrust Park in late March or early April 2017.

When the design for the bridge was finalized in early February by design firm AECOM Technical Services, the construction cost was estimated to be about $9.87 million. The county payed AECOM about $804,000 for the bridge design.

Other bidders for the bridge project include Marietta-based C.W. Matthews Contracting Company, which bid about $11.5 million, and E.R. Snell Contractor Inc., which bid about $13 million, according to the agenda.

Naples Daily News

More details about proposed Atlanta Braves training site in Collier includes retail area, possible condos

By Greg Stanley of the Naples Daily News

Facing a ticking clock, a group of local business owners will present plans next week to lure the Atlanta Braves here for spring training, a proposal that already is attracting opposition from residents and support from businesses near the site.

Gary Price, a partner in the private firm that's leading efforts to recruit the Braves to Collier County, will present a site plan and proposal to build a stadium and shopping area off Collier Boulevard south of Interstate 75 to commissioners on Tuesday. The county would have to move quickly, as Braves executives already are in discussions with Sarasota and Palm Beach counties over competing sites.

Price hopes to ease concerns from commissioners and neighborhoods near the potential site about increased traffic and noise.

"We wouldn't work on a project that we didn't think was going to be great for this community," Price said. "We certainly wouldn't spend this kind of time on this if we didn't think it could be something we could be proud of and would be beneficial to the community."

The Braves are searching for a new spring training home, with hopes of leaving their Orlando complex for a new site in 2018.

Price said he and team representatives looked at four to five potential spots for a stadium in Collier, with the team preferring 160 acres directly off Collier Boulevard south of Forest Glen Golf & Country Club. The land is owned by Naples-based Stock Development and residentially zoned. It would need a supermajority of commissioners — four out of five — to agree to change its zoning.

One commissioner already has expressed opposition, while another raised concerns about the site location next in a residential area.

The spot's visibility from the interstate and easy access to Lee County, where the and spend the spring, made it ideal, Price said.

But the site would be in the middle of several gated neighborhoods, including Forest Glen, Cedar Hammock and Naples Lakes country clubs. It would be across the street from Naples Heritage Golf & Country Club.

"Why would they try to put it right in middle of a residential area?" said Jim Pusateri, who lives in Naples Lakes. "They would play during season, when we already have long lines of traffic trying to get on to 75. I can't imagine what it would be like just after and before a game."

There is no stopping growth along Collier Boulevard, but a stadium is a far cry from the shops and restaurants peppering the area now, said Kathey Walsh, who has lived in Forest Glen for 11 years.

"I can't imagine the 799 doors here being too thrilled about that down the street," Walsh said. "It's not just Forest Glen, there's Cedar Hammock, Verona Walk and Naples Lakes and all these golf communities. I can't imagine that the county would let them put a stadium here. But, hey, it's not my decision."

Commissioner Donna Fiala said she would not approve a site so close to a neighborhood and Commissioner Penny Taylor said she also has concerns about the location.

Fiala floated the idea of building the stadium two miles north, where the land is commercially zoned and the county has 300 vacant acres near its landfill.

"If they just moved down the road a little bit, it would be so much better," Fiala said. "Everybody loves the idea of a stadium, but nobody wants the crushing traffic involved to completely decimate their roadways."

Christopher Shucart, president of the East Naples Civic Association, also pointed to the county land, saying it would be a better fit.

"There are already two existing hotels near there and it's a little to the interchange," Shucart said.

Price said he and the team considered all available options.

"There aren't a lot of choices," he said. "We did consider any and all sites that would have the kind of space we needed."

There would only be 10 days of home games during six weeks of spring training, limiting the noise and traffic, he said.

If commissioners don't like the site, Price said he didn't know if that would end discussions with the Braves or if they'd then consider other land in the county.

The stadium would require at least 100 acres. Ideally, it would include open-air shopping and an entertainment center, possibly modeled after the popular Mercato in North Naples, Price said. It would bring new restaurants and shops to the area, but it's not clear whether it would include residential condominiums.

"The private demand would determine what is best suited there," Price said. "That wouldn't be the county's job to do."

Who would ultimately develop the commercial piece is also up in the air. At one time, there were talks of including a Hard Rock hotel in the private development, but that idea is off the table, Price said.

The cost to build the stadium would be about $53 million, not including land costs, he said. The public side of the project could cost as much as $70 million.

Price's firm, Fifth Avenue Advisors, wanted to move sooner to get a proposal before county commissioners. But the entire project hinged on finding a willing landowner, which took time, he said. Without a site, he said, it would have been a much tougher sell to commissioners.

Several nearby business owners are thrilled at the prospect of increased traffic that a stadium could bring.

Gary Chernow, chairman of the East Naples Merchants' Association, said the location is ideal, so close to Interstate 75.

"Personally I think it would be awesome for the East Naples community, especially economically,"said Chernow, who owns Integrity Franchise Options. "It would help a lot of our merchants. It would certainly benefit East Naples."

Fans, too, have been hoping for the county to land a team for years.

Donahue Silvis, who has lived in the area since 1982, couldn't be happier about the chance to bring the Braves here.

He's cheered for them since 1955, when Hank Aaron roamed right field and the team was based in Milwaukee.

"I've been a fan of theirs for all these years. For me, I'm 80 years old now and it would be great here to have them in town," he said. "There are a lot of Atlanta Braves fans down here. I think it would be very popular."

The Sports Xchange

Braves Wisler set to make debut against St. Louis

The Sports Xchange

The St. Louis Cardinals won 100 games while finishing first in baseball’s most competitive division last season, but they are off to their worst start in nine years after a season-opening three-game sweep at Pittsburgh. The Cardinals look to get on track today as they open a weekend set at the Atlanta Braves, who also are winless after dropping two games to the Washington Nationals to begin their 2016 campaign.

Pitching Matchup: Cardinals LH Jaime Garcia (2015: 10-6, 2.43 ERA) vs. Braves RH Matt Wisler (2015: 8-8, 4.71)

Garcia was outstanding after missing the first seven weeks of last season while recovering from 2014 nerve surgery, winning seven of his final nine decisions and going 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA in six August starts. He lost his only outing against Atlanta last season, giving up two runs on six hits in four innings on Oct. 2. Garcia struggled in spring training, allowing nine earned runs in 14 2/3 innings.

Of all the heralded pitching prospects gathered by the Braves during their rebuild, Wisler has made the biggest impact to this point. The 23-year- old battled rookie inconsistency in 2015, winning five of his first six decisions after being promoted in June, then losing seven decisions in a row before ending with a flourish - giving up three runs over 22 2/3 innings in winning his final three starts. Wisler went 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA in two starts against the Cardinals in 2015.

Walk-offs

1. Atlanta 3B Adonis Garcia followed up his opening day homer Monday with three hits Wednesday.

2. One lone bright spot for the Cardinals: Rookie OF Jeremy Hazelbaker homered in his first big-league start Wednesday, one night after recording a pinch-hit double.

3. The Braves have nearly as many errors (three) as RBIs (four) through two games.

Associated Press

Cardinals-Braves Preview

By TAYLOR BECHTOLD (STATS Writer)

Though they're in the midst of their worst start in nine years, the defending NL Central champions insist there's no reason to panic three games into the season.

A lack of scoring has been partly to blame for the St. Louis Cardinals, who must now return to a venue where they've struggled offensively in recent seasons.

Matt Wisler will try to extend his early career mastery of St. Louis and lead the Atlanta Braves to their first win Friday night in the series opener at Turner Field.

The Cardinals certainly didn't have many offensive highlights in Pittsburgh, batting .168 while also going 3 for 22 with runners in scoring position en route to the club's worst start since it last finished below .500 in 2007.

Matt Carpenter (1 for 11), Matt Holliday (1 for 10) andRandal Grichuk (1 for 10) are among those off to slow starts. Grichuk is expected to return to the lineup after sitting out Wednesday's 5-1 loss so he could work through some timing issues.

"It's too early to be concerned with anything," Carpenter told the team's official website. "We just didn't hit... But we will, and once we hit, we'll be fine."

The Cardinals will try to avoid getting blanked in four straight by the same opponent for the first time after they managed 12 hits over the final three games in Atlanta last season. They're also looking to stave off their first 0-4 start since dropping the first six in 1997.

"It's early," Wednesday's losing pitcher Mike Leake said. "We're all right. We're three games into it. I think we just need to slow down and play competitive baseball."

Wisler was dominant in the 2015 finale, allowing four hits and walking one while coming within one out of his first complete game in a 2-0 win. The right-hander had a 1.19 ERA in winning his last three starts after going 0-7 with a 8.08 mark over his prior nine.

Wisler, who worked on his with former star in the offseason, has given up two runs over 15 2/3 innings in winning two career starts versus St. Louis.

"When I came up I felt good and was going after guys, then August hit and I was terrible," Wisler said. "I lost some confidence in myself and got it back in September."

Jaime Garcia will try to pick up a St. Louis rotation that has allowed 23 hits, seven walks and 11 earned runs over the first 14 2/3 innings. The left- hander finished an injury-plagued 2015 strong by going 7-2 with a 2.74 ERA over his last 12 starts.

One of those losses came at Turner Field on Oct. 2 when he surrendered two runs and six hits over four innings of a 4-0 defeat. Drew Stubbs, who has hit .310 over 29 at-bats versus Garcia, is expected to join Tyler Flowers and Gordon Beckham in the Braves' lineup.

Freddie Freeman is 4 for 7 with two homers off Garcia. Freeman, Adonis Garcia (two RBIs) and A.J. Pierzynski drove in Atlanta's four runs in two home losses to Washington.

The Braves haven't dropped their first three since an 0-4 start in 2012, but they've won four in a row overall and nine of the past 11 home meetings with the Cardinals.

Yadier Molina can become St. Louis' all-time leader for games caught with 1,440.