We stock Real Madrid Tickets and packages. See our complete listings of Real Madrid Tickets. Real Madrid event maps and prices.
Atlanta Braves
We want to be your Kentucky Derby Tickets headquarters.
Purchase Atlanta Braves Tickets right now. Don't miss another moment of great baseball. This website includes information on Atlanta Braves Tickets, schedules and seating charts. GO GO GO! Atlanta Braves.
How long do you see Chris Reitsma staying in the closer's role? By my count, Reitsma has been worse in save opportunities than Kolb. The Braves brought in Kyle Farnsworth, so a move needs to be made. -- Brian L., Tallahassee, Fla.
Nobody is saying a move has been made. But while not graceful, Farnsworth was certainly every bit as effective as he had to be during his audition on Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field. He retired four of the six batters he faced and struck out the side in the ninth to record his first save in a Braves uniform.
My guess is that it won't be his last. In his past two appearances, Farnsworth hasn't shown any signs that his back is still bothering him. In fact, he's kind of looked like the dominant guy everybody has expected him to be for many years.
As for Reitsma, he's kind of fallen on hard times recently, and it couldn't have come at a worse time. While the Braves are in the thick of a pennant race and looking to see who they can depend on in the postseason, he's not giving them much confidence that he should be their man.
In July, Reitsma was as good as a closer could be. But August has been a completely different story. Throw the 11.05 ERA he's compiled this month out the window. When speaking of relievers, ERAs are usually worthless.
Instead, look at the fact that opponents are hitting .371 and reaching base at a .421 clip against him this month. Those aren't the numbers of a proven closer.
But that's part of the problem in Atlanta. After spending three years with one of the game's few truly dependable closers, the Braves now have a number of potential ones. Fortunately, they're all playing for Bobby Cox, who found a way to make such guys like Kerry Ligtenberg, Greg McMichael and Juan Berenguer succeed in the closer's role.
With his blazing fastball and sometimes nasty slider, Farnsworth has the physical tools that scream closer. Still, he converted just one of 13 save opportunities with the Cubs from 2002-2004. It wasn't until he was given the chance to close games with the Tigers this year that Farnsworth began finding success.
Look for him to continue getting opportunities to increase that success. If he does, it will give the Braves reason to wonder if they should bring him back next year.