Jason

Marquis

''We’ll cover it,’' said manager Bobby Cox. ''We’re fine. We’ve got Jason in their right now; he’s done well.’' Marquis has a 3.48 ERA in 10 2/3 innings despite allowing nine walks. His value takes a jump with Byrd out.

Marquis is going to have a hard time making it back to the Atlanta rotation. As is, there’s not room for the rehabbing Paul Byrd.

It’s clear that Horacio Ramirez will beat out Marquis for the final spot in Atlanta’s rotation, but with Paul Byrd expected to miss the beginning of the season, it’s odd that the Braves have decided to use Marquis as a reliever now.

The Braves are in the market for the same group of starting pitchers that everyone else wants. Jason Marquis and Wilson Betemit are Atlanta’s bait. Marquis’ value could take a big jump by the end of the day if he goes to a team that can plug him into their rotation.

Marquis was perfect through four, but the Braves scored twice in the fifth and Andruw Jones hit a grand slam to knock Marquis from the game in the sixth. Marquis has struggled in three of his last four starts and he threw 132 pitches in his lone good outing. He might need a break, but we doubt he’s going to get one.

Marquis was sent out to give up two runs the seventh even though he struggled in the sixth and he was already over 100 pitches. As many problems as he’s had lately, the decision was pretty surprising. He did have an extra day of rest because of the Anthony Reyes callup, but he’s still not at his best right now.

This is two outings in a row in which Marquis has simply been left in too long. Six days ago, he struggled in the sixth and was over 100 pitches, but he was still sent back out to give up two runs in the seventh. He was pulled tonight after giving up three straight hits, the second scoring a run, in the eighth. The two baserunners he left on came around off Julian Tavarez.

He also walked five and hit a batter, so it’s surprising that he managed to get out of it with just four runs scoring. Fortunately, not only did he have the pitcher to end two innings for him, but he also had Abraham Nunez, one of the easiest outs in baseball this year, to help bail him out of jams. Marquis probably isn’t worth using in NL-only leagues with the Reds up next.

Marquis had to get double plays in the first two innings, one of the line-drive variety, to last as long as he did. Marquis has allowed 26 hits in 12 1/3 innings over his last three starts, and he’s not far away from seeing his ERA climb over 6.00. Saving him could be the fact that he’ll get the Pirates next and then the Cubs in back-to-back starts.

Marquis allowed just three hits, but two of them were solo homers from Jason Bay and Joe Randa. It was still Marquis’ first quality start since July 23. He’ll likely get one more start before the Cardinals decide how to make room for Mulder.