The Braves head through customs on their way to Toronto carrying their own bags -- not to mention the baggage of a rag-tag offense.
The team has gotten unexpectedly good pitching from rookies Jorge Campillo, Jair Jurrjens and Jo-Jo Reyes in the absence of three of the four 20-games winners they thought they'd have in the rotation. Only Tim Hudson is still standing, while John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton are all on the disabled list. But the offensive subs, well, that's another story.
Obviously the Braves miss Chipper Jones, whose sore right quad has reduced his appearances to one at-bat. But he delivers when that turn comes up.
Less obviously, the Braves miss Mark Kotsay, who is on a minor league rehab assignment after having missed a month with a bulging disk in his lower back. He is an excellent defensive center fielder and a consistent hitter, a trait that has been lacking in the batting order while he's been sidelined.
The current outfield of rookies Brandon Jones in left and Gregor Blanco in center, along with Jeff Francoeur in right, are not providing a lot of pop.
Meanwhile, in the infield, shortstop Yunel Escobar can't swing after jamming his left shoulder diving back to first base in Tuesday's game, and Omar Infante, who backs up at both short and third, sustained a strained right hamstring running the bases Wednesday. Both were scheduled to take intense treatment before the team headed to the airport Thursday, and again after arriving in Toronto.
