The Atlanta Braves are going to be one of the most entertaining teams to watch this year in the MLB as they will compete for the NL Pennant in a crowded National League.
Lineup
The core of Ronald Acuna Jr., Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson, and Marcell Ozuna returns as he was re-signed to come back to this Braves team. The lineup also has a rejuvenated Travis D’Arnaud as he will anchor at the backstop. Top prospect OF Cristian Pache will make an impact once he is called up to play. 3B Austin Riley should also look to bounce back from a slow season last year.
UTIL Johan Camargo can play many positions in the infield. Also, OF Ender Inciarte will provide much-needed depth and speed off the bench. This lineup has depth at every position and is going to be a pitcher’s nightmare when he faces this lineup. All through the lineup, they can all do big damage and drive in much-needed run support in the late innings.
Pitching
The pitching staff consists of many young up-and-coming pitchers in LHP Max Fried, RHP Ian Anderson, and RHP Mike Soroka who is coming back from an injury last year. The acquisitions of RHP Charlie Morton and LHP Drew Smyly will add veteran help to this young staff. This staff is one of the better staffs in the National League as their young pitchers are only getting better. If all these starters can stay healthy the whole year, the Braves may have one of the best rotations in baseball.
Bullpen
LHP Will Smith will be the key reliever in this bullpen as he will fill the closer role at the end of games. RHP Chris Martin will be the key bullpen arm to help out this pitching staff along with RHP Josh Tomlin and RHP Kyle Wright who will be at the forefront of this bullpen to come in to relieve the starters before the last inning. This bullpen is not as scary as the other bullpens in baseball. But, the Braves have a very reliable closer and have up-and-coming relief pitchers that are getting better each year.
Prediction
The Braves have a top-five lineup, an up-and-coming starting rotation, and a decent bullpen. This team is still a powerhouse in the National League East want the National League and will only get better each year with the emergence of their young starting rotation and their loaded lineup with talent. The Braves will be in a very competitive division and league. But, they have the talent to make a run to the World Series if all of their players can stay healthy and produce on the field. The Braves will win the NL East, but it will be tough to get to the World Series.