Atlanta Braves Finally Get a Rest, Lead by 1.5 Games

The Braves just finished up 20 games in 20 days. It is the longest possible stretch you can play without having a day off. And to make matters even more impressive 14 of the 20 were on the road, including 11-straight to cap off the 20-in-20.

Atlanta went 14-6 on the trip. They won all six home games, won nine straight and split or won all six of their series' (@FLA, PIT, PHI, @LAD, @ARZ, and @MIN). The last time they lost a series was over a month ago back on May 7-9 when Philly beat them two-games-to-three.

Like I said in the title, the Braves finally get an off day Monday. After a days rest the Braves will host the Tampa Bay Rays who have the best record in the majors. The Braves will put their 11-series unbeaten streak as well as their MLB best 19-6 home record on the line. The series matchups are as follows: 0-8 Kawakami vs. 9-2 Price, 6-3 Hanson vs. 5-6 Davis, and 6-2 Hudson vs. 5-5 Shields.

The Braves have played a major league low 25 homes games vs. a MLB high 39 road games. They will get 6 games at home (TB, KC) before heading back out on the road to take on the White Sox in a 3-game series. They head back home for 9-straight and finish up interleague play hosting Detroit in the first three games.

Atlanta currently holds a 1.5 game lead of the New York Mets in the NL East. The Philadelphia Phillies are 3.5 back, the Marlins 5.5 and in last place is the Washington Nationals who trail by just 6 games.

Atlanta Braves by the numbers:

49: Troy Glaus RBI total. #1 in the league. He smacked two more homeruns Sunday afternoon. Can someone say comeback player of the year?

90: Martin Prado's hit total. #1 in the league. His 47 runs ranks #2. Can someone say most improved player in the league?

39-43-.388: Jason Heyward's BB total, his RBI total, and OBP...That is good for 6th, 9th, and 11th in the league, not bad for a 20-year old. Can someone say Rookie of the year?

305: The total amount of runs the Braves have scored. That is second in the league only behind the Reds.

2.43: Tim Hudson's ERA. • Ranks 9th in NL in W (6) • Ranks 10th in NL in IP (85.1) • Ranks 7th in NL in ERA (2.43) • Ranks 11th in NL in WHIP (1.16) • Ranks 7th in NL in W% (.750) • Ranks 5th in NL in CG (1) Can somebody say Comeback pitcher of the year? He only made a handful of starts last year after sitting out the end of 08 and most of 09 healing from Tommy John surgery. I know they only have a comeback player of the year award, but I am sorting them into hitter and pitcher because I can!