they have a much better bullpen and a faster infield.
2007-02-02 10:49:58 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
they will win their DIVISION
2007-02-02 13:58:42 · answer #1 · answered by Dr Universe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mike Gonzalez was a solid pick up to help solidify their bullpen. He will be joined by Bob Wickman who should be able to teach Gonzalez some things about being a better closer. Joey Devine should have a good season in the bullpen after getting some big league experience last year and the year before. Rafael Soriano was quietly a good pickup for Horacio Ramirez. He usually has around a 2.00 era and averages more than a strikeout per inning. Overall there pitching staff is pretty good. They have the reliable John Smoltz along with Tim Hudson who I predict to have a bounce back season. Put these two guys with Chuck James, Kyle Davies and Mike Hampton and you have yourself a deep pitching staff. I'm not sure if Tanyon Sturtze will start but he's an innings eater in the bullpen. There is certainly no drop off in their hitting. Andrew Jones remains one of the games best defensive/offensive players and Jeff Francoeur should revert back to his rookie year campaign form. Brian McCann has developed into one of the best offensive catchers in MLB period. Chipper Jones if he can remain healthy will have a solid year and Edgar Renteria should have another good year. I'm not convinced on the production Atlanta will get out of Ryan Langerhans, Kelly Johnson, or Scott Thorman, along with Craig Wilson so 2B, 1B, and LF are questionable positions for the Braves. But the Braves always find a way to win with young guys and this year looks like more of the same. I think the Braves will give the Mets all they can handle but watch out for the Marlins. The wild card and the division is not out of reach for this Braves team.
2007-02-02 21:08:59 · answer #2 · answered by shakethejake08 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The braves will go as far as there pitching allows them. They really need Hampton to be fully fit and in the starting rotation for starters. The back end of there bullpen looks good so if the starting pitching holds up they will be challenging for the N.L wild card. They will not however be able to win the division Philly and the Mets are better team all round.
2007-02-03 07:06:51 · answer #3 · answered by fostermark_2000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the Braves will show great improvement from last year. Despite losing their right side of the infield, they got something good in return. Craig Wilson has proven he's got home run power and Mike Gonzalez, a proven closer, can rotate out of the setup role with Rafael Soriano, who posted a 2.25 ERA in 2006. I also think Tim Hudson will recover from a subpar 2006. Plus, Mike Hampton returns after a year of surgery and rehab.
Like I said, I think the Braves will improve from last year, but only time will tell how good the 2007 Braves will be.
2007-02-02 19:19:26 · answer #4 · answered by arkguy20 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have a good chance to take the East back. Rotation will consist of Hudson, Smoltz, Chuck James showed he can pitcher, hopefully Hampton will come back strong, and Davies. I think that staff is the strongest in the East or as strong as the Phillies. Their offense will be anchored by the Jones boys and hopefully Chipper stays healthy all year, we all know he can put up monster numbers. Look for Francoeur to be a little bit more diciplined and walks will go up a little and K's will go down a little, we all know the guy has pop in his bat. Like you said their bullpen is much stronger and has more depth. Only thing they are lacking is a lead off man right now.
2007-02-02 21:54:07 · answer #5 · answered by Andrew B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Phillies should win the division so the Mets and Braves will have to sort it out for the wild card. I give the edge to the Mets only if there pitching holds up which is a big question mark. Braves have a shot at the playoffs.
2007-02-02 20:54:07 · answer #6 · answered by The Mick "7" 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no way they're beating the Mets this year. Add in a good Phillies and Marlin team that the Braves have to play and it looks like a long season in Atlanta this year.
2007-02-05 02:11:35 · answer #7 · answered by lupin_1375 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the braves will have a very good team this upcoming year despite not making the playoffs last year due to injury's and a bad bullpen they will be pretty good this year they can also make the playoffs if there guys can keep there self healthy
2007-02-02 21:54:13 · answer #8 · answered by LifesJourney 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will finish second to the Phillies in the East and win the wild card, but be eliminated in the first round because they traded away their best infielder
2007-02-02 20:25:23 · answer #9 · answered by crime.dog738 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the Mets don't score at least as many runs as they did last year to support their old and inexperienced pitching staff, the Braves have a very good chance. Otherwise it's 2nd place at best.
2007-02-03 02:35:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
IMO 3 place behind the Mets and the Phillies. The Braves have strengthened there pen but their rotation is suspect and have lost a few guys from their lineup (LaRoche and Giles).
2007-02-02 21:31:36 · answer #11 · answered by Shot Caller 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋