Welcome back, Chipper. Nice way to start, Fredi. Returning from major knee surgery, Chipper Jones doubled before scoring the 2011 season's first run on a chilly, damp opening day, and Derek Lowe allowed three singles in 5 2-3 innings, helping the Braves beat the Washington Nationals 2-0 Thursday to make Fredi Gonzalez a winner in his debut as Atlanta's manager.

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AccuScore.com AccuScore uses past performance and statistics to describe how players perform under different…

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For MLB baseball fans, spring means opening day. Central Maryland, where I live, seems to be equally divided between Baltimore Orioles fans and fans of the newer Washington Nationals. For some folks, that could mean attending two opening day baseball games. Here's what you need to know about the opening day games and festivities in both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Md. Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals open the season Thursday, March 31, when they will take on the Atlanta Braves at 1:05 p.m.

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Nick Blackburn looked ready for the regular season before problems in Minnesota's bullpen kept him from winning his final spring start. Blackburn shut down Atlanta's projected opening-day lineup during four scoreless innings but Mauro Gomez hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning to give the Braves a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Twins in an exhibition on Tuesday night.

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With two more spring training games left before Opening Day on Thursday, March 31, in Washington, D.C., the Atlanta Braves are pretty much set to get things going. The Braves will be starting Derek Lowe on the mound for the second straight Opening Day. I have no idea why, though, because there are at least two other pitchers on the team — Tim Hudson and Tommy Hanson — who are noticeably better. Hudson and Hanson both put up better numbers than Lowe in 2010 and both are healthy.

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The Minnesota Twins traded right-handed pitching prospect Billy Bullock to the Atlanta Braves, which allows them to retain Rule 5 draft choice Scott Diamond. The Twins announced the deal Monday. They plucked the left-handed Diamond out of the Braves' system in December. He allowed one earned run on six hits in six innings of work during spring training.

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With just days until the 2011 Major League Baseball season begins, those taking part in last-minute drafts can count on these Atlanta Braves to help lead their team to the playoffs. Tommy Hanson Hanson is entering his third year, and although he isn't the Opening Day starter, he is the ace of the staff. I'm expecting his win total to increase to at least 15, while keeping his ERA and strikeout figures the same. Martin Prado One of the best parts of Prado is his ability to start for your team at second base, third base and outfield.

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Roy Halladay breezed through his final tuneup for the regular season, throwing in a two-run single for good measure. The NL Cy Young Award winner pitched three innings of two-hit ball as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 6-1 Sunday. Halladay, who will face the Houston Astros on Friday in Philadelphia, walked none and struck out three while lowering his spring ERA to 0.42.

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Mets outfielder Jason Bay will miss New York’s Grapefruit League game against the Atlanta Braves with a stiff back.

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Mike Pelfrey pronounced himself ready to start on opening day. Pitched that way, too. Pelfrey gave his strongest performance of the exhibition season, helping the New York Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 8-2 Saturday. Pelfrey, who will start the opener at Florida, allowed two runs in 5 2-3 innings and struck out four.

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