Change of Pace

Excluding the 1994 strike season, the Atlanta Braves have won nine consecutive division titles. But they are off to a slow start this year. Comparing their record through 35 games each year:

1991: 19-16, 2nd place, 1/2 games back. Final record: 94-68

1992: 16-19, 4th place, 4 games back. Final record: 98-64

1993: 19-16, 3rd place, 2 games back. Final record: 104-58

1994: 23-12, 1st place by 3 1/2. Final record: 68-46

1995: 19-16, 3rd place, 5 games back. Final record: 90-54*

1996: 22-13, 2nd place, 1 1/2 games back. Final record: 96-66

1997: 24-11, 1st place by 5. Final record: 101-61

1998: 24-11, 1st place by 5. Final record: 106-56

1999: 21-14, 1st place by 1/2. Final record: 103-59

2000: 3-12, 1st place by 4. Final record: 95-67

2001: 16-19, 2nd place, 5 games back

*World Series champions

*

Comparing Atlanta’s starting lineup last season to this season (through first 35 games)

CATCHER

2001: Javier Lopez (.234, 3 HR, 11 RBIs)

2000: Javier Lopez (.278, 4 HR, 18 RBIs)

FIRST BASE

2001: Rico Brogna (.239, 1, 10)

2000: Andres Galarraga (.292, 10, 28)

SECOND BASE

2001: Quilvio Veras (.181, 3, 10)

2000: Quilvio Veras (.317, 2, 16)

THIRD BASE

2001: Chipper Jones (.328, 11, 29)

2000: Chipper Jones (.302, 6, 22)

SHORTSTOP

2001: Rafael Furcal (.229, 2, 14)

2000: Rafael Furcal (.289, 0, 9)

LEFT FIELD

2001: B.J. Surhoff (.227, 3, 12)

2000: Bobby Bonilla (.304, 1, 9)

CENTER FIELD

2001: Andruw Jones (.267, 7, 14)

2000: Andruw Jones (.309, 9, 17)

RIGHT FIELD

2001: Brian Jordan (.276, 3, 12)

2000: Brian Jordan (.237, 4, 13)

TEAM BATTING

2001: .243, 37 homers, 130 runs scored

2000: .268, 40 homers, 168 runs scored

TOP 3 STARTING PITCHERS

2001

Tom Glavine: (4-2, 4.26 ERA)

Greg Maddux: (3-3, 2.45)

Kevin Millwood: (1-3, 4.93)

2000

Tom Glavine: (5-1, 2.29 ERA)

Greg Maddux: (4-1, 2.62)

Kevin Millwood: (3-2, 4.24)

CLOSER

2001: John Rocker (2-0, 3.45 ERA, 9 saves)

2000: John Rocker (1-1, 4.09 ERA, 9 saves)

TEAM ERA

2001: 4.27

2000: 3.48