The Braves wrapped up their first week and a half of baseball with a 4-6 record. Everyone has the tendency to judge a team in the first week baseball but I’m telling you now:  do not panic!

Derek Lowe has continued his dominance on the mound. Lowe finished Sunday’s game with 2 runs 7 hits and 2 strike outs. Unfortunately he picks up his second loss of the season. Though pitching well enough to be 3-0 he sits at 1-2 with a 1.45 ERA.  A 1.45 ERA is good in baseball. Expect to see this throughout the season from Lowe. After finishing the 2010 season on a high note it has rolled over to 2011 and has been anything but a fluke.

            On the offense side of things, Brian McCann entered Sunday’s game with a .406 batting average and leading the National League in hits. Even though McCann is homer-less in 2011 look for him to break it open this week as the Braves host the Marlins. The presence of Dan Uggla batting in the fifth spot has really giving Brian McCann an advantage at the plate.

            Other positives coming from the clubhouse include Nate McLouth.   He lost the support from most Atlanta fans in 2010 when he batted .190, and half way through the season was sent down to AAA-Gwinnett. McLouth has a hit in all but two games so far this season and is starting to see the ball a lot better. He’s still a great asset in center field with his Gold Glove caliber fielding. Expect McLouth to hit at least .250 this year. McLouth currently is sitting at .229 in the first ten games.

            This week, the Braves host the former team of Fredi Gonzalez and Dan Uggla, the Florida Marlins. The Braves will send Tommy Hanson, Tim Hudson, and Brandon Beachy to the mound as they look to bounce back from a two series skid and come away with a few wins against their NL East rivals. When asking Dan Uggla about this upcoming series he said; “I’m excited to play against these guys {Florida Marlins}. It’s fun to play against guys you have been friends with for the past couple of years.”  

            It’s been rocky for the Braves this first week of the season but Gonzalez says he is “not worried” and that it’s still way too early. Braves have a team that can compete with anyone including the defending NL East Champions the Philadelphia Phillies. Expect it to be a great ride. And DO NOT PANIC!  After all it is only the first ten games in the six month marathon they call Major League Baseball.