Tomahawk Chops: Daily Atlanta Braves Clippings For Friday, July 1st

Your one-page daily morning overview of Atlanta Braves news:

Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel have formed an imposing late-inning duo | braves.com: News
Even as they have established themselves as one of the game's best relief duos, Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel have not been able to escape the fact that Braves bullpen coach Eddie Perez still views them as wide-eyed kids who remind him of his young sons. "They're kids," Perez said. "I have to tell them where to go and what to do. I love them. They're incredible kids."

July could be key month for Braves  | ajc.com
July could be a big month for the Braves. The current National League wild-card leaders play 17 of 27 games at home. Seven of eight series are against teams with records just above or below .500. The month also includes a three-game set at the Phillies, who lead by four games, a battle of the top two teams in the NL.

Hot-hitting McCann enters early MVP discussion  | ajc.com
"It’s amazing to watch on a day-to-day basis, especially from a catcher," Braves utility man Eric Hinske said. "He plays every day; he wants to play. The at-bats he puts out there, the way he handles left-handed pitching. ... He’s one of the best players in the game, no doubt in my mind."

McCann’s MVP candidacy; Kawakami rocked | Atlanta Braves
The Braves’ hopes of trading Kenshin Kawakami have steadily eroded since his demotion to Double-A Mississippi, where the veteran Japanese pitcher got rocked and made an early exit from his latest start Wednesday. He gave up seven runs, six hits (one homer) and two walks in two innings of a 12-0 loss at Huntsville. He had one strikeout and left after facing three batters without recording an out in the third inning.

Teheran is youngest International League All-Star | Atlanta Braves
Top-rated pitching prospect Julio Teheran led a group of four Triple-A Gwinnett Braves named to the International League All-Star team on Thursday. Center fielder Jose Constanza, first baseman Mauro Gomez and designated hitter Stefan Gartrell were also selected to the IL All-Star team, which will face the Pacific Coast League All-Stars in Salt Lake City on July 13.

G-Braves pitcher Teheran selected for Futures Game
Major League Baseball has released the rosters for the XM All-Star Futures Game, the 13th annual Minor League showcase portion of MLB All-Star Weekend, and Gwinnett Braves RHP Julio Teheran has been selected to the World Team.