The Braves are looking to measure themselves against a tough division rival in only the second week of the season, and that team is the Marlins.
Both teams are 5-1 going into the three-game series at Turner Field that begins Tuesday. Thus, the main reaction to having swept Washington in last weekend's three-game series was not that the Nationals were gnats on the wall but that the Braves had accomplished what they were supposed to accomplish. "As tough as this division is," third baseman Chipper Jones said, "it's going to be imperative for us to get wins against teams that on paper we should beat. Because the Marlins did it when they had (the Nationals) in, now we matched what the Marlins did and we're both 5-1. Now (the Marlins) coming in to our place. We'll see how good we are."
A year ago at this time, Jones was highly displeased with the way the team was playing. His early instincts were correct, as the Braves wasted more than their share of opportunities of offense.
While Jones isn't ready to analyze the 2009 season yet, he does see good signs.
"We're swinging it really good," he said. "And it's coming from all parts.
"When you're producing some runs down at the bottom of the order, it really takes the pressure off the top, because you know eventually the top's going to come through."
