Braves lose Division Series to Astros, 3 games to 1
The Good: “There’s always next year.” 
In recent years that sentiment has been of little comfort to Braves fans. However, with 18 rookies making the Braves’ major league squad at one time or another this season there is reason to believe we have the makings of another World Championship ballclub on our hands. It truly is amazing the “Baby Braves” made the playoffs in what must be classified as a “rebuilding” year. … Andruw Jones shook off his late-season slump and led the Braves’ offense as he has all year. He went 8-for-17 in the series with a homer, 3 doubles, 5 RBI’s, and 5 runs scored. … Before the season began John Smoltz insisted on returning to the starting rotation. He was sure he would prove an invaluable cog in the rotation throughout both the regular season and the postseason. He made good on both of those promises. Unfortunately it was not enough as the bullpen was left in shambles and now there are serious questions about the health of his ailing right shoulder going into next season. However, Smoltz pitched through the pain in Game 2 and reclaimed sole possession of the top spot for most postseason wins (15) with a gutsy 7-inning performance. He allowed 7 hits and struck out 5 but allowed only 1 run to best Roger Clemens. … Despite a maddening lapse on the basepaths in Game 4, Adam LaRoche came up big for the Braves in the series as he did the last couple weeks of the regular season. In 3 games, he went 4-for-8 including a double and grand slam, with 6 RBI’s and 2 runs scored.
The Bad: The Braves haven’t advanced to the National League Championship Series since 2001. … Rafael Furcal picked a fine time to start swinging for the fences again. He has been known to struggle when he starts uppercutting and I don’t think it was a coincidence he was hitless in 11 at-bats in Houston’s tiny ballpark. He was 3-for-20 in the set. … After knocking a homer and a double in the series opener, Chipper Jones went 1-for-13 in the following 3 games. … Marcus Giles was 4-for-20 in the series.
The Ugly: As has been the case all season, the bullpen let us down. Chris Reitsma had an ERA of over 16.00 for the series and Joey Devine gave up the final, decisive run. However, the biggest disappointment was Kyle Farnsworth who had been so reliable for the Braves in save situations since taking over as closer in late August. With the Braves up by 5 runs in the 8th inning of Game 4 he coughed up the lead, giving up a grand slam to his nemesis Lance Berkman and a solo shot to Brad Ausmus with 2 out in the 9th. Both were cheap shots but that’s all you need when playing in the bandbox that is Minute Maid Park. 
