2007-03-02 13:40:50 · 13 answers · asked by Shaun Super 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
No way...the Mets and Phillies are much better...the Braves will finish third.
2007-03-02 13:45:13 · answer #1 · answered by drgolfmd 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Atlanta will win the NL East again this year. Smoltz is showing no signs of letting up, Tim Hudson returned to the workout routine that made him a dominant pitcher with the A's and is regaining control of his slider, Chuck James is coming off of an amazing rookie season, Mike Hampton should stay healthy and hopefully be ready by April or May.
In the bullpen, they have a proven closer in Bob Wickman, and acquired some major help during the offseason with Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez, who are both in the prime of their careers. Peter Moylan, Blaine Boyer, Joey Devine, and Macay McBride will all be valuable assets to the bullpen this year and to the Braves organization as a whole many years down the road.
Offensively, you have the bats of Andruw Jones, Jeff Francouer, Brian McCann, Chipper Jones(if he can stay healthy), the potential of Scott Thorman, and Edgar Renteria. Also, they have Pete Orr, who is quick and able to get on base.
If Atlanta can avoid repeating last June, I really believe that they can take back the NL East(which really belongs to them), win the NL, and possibly win it all come October.
2007-03-04 19:42:07 · answer #2 · answered by Drew B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For a team whose dynasty stood on the shoulders of their pitching staff (Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Avery...), they have turned into a young hitting team.
To finish their dynasty in 2005, they tapped their farm system dry, have called up every hitter with immediate potential, and can no longer produce a league average starting pitcher at will anymore.
The dynasty is over, the east is now a year to year 'who-gets-the-most-wins-in-162', as it should be, and while they're on a downslope, they can still come back in 2007.
I hear all about the offense of the Phillies and Mets (who ranked 1st and 3rd, respectively in 2006 in runs), people seem to forget Atlanta ranked 2nd. They have the lineup to compete in the east... it's a question of pitching.
Philadelphia will struggle in that department relative to the other two. The Mets arguably have the best bullpen in the league, and Atlanta chose to spend their money improving that facet as well.
The rotation will be the clincher. Atlanta will send up Smoltz (40), Hudson (31), Hampton (33), James (25), Davies (23), and have a few other interesting backups. The Mets will send Glavine (41), Hernandez (41), Maine (26), Perez (25), and Park (34), not seeing Martinez until late in the season.
It'll be a lot closer race than people expect.
2007-03-02 22:27:59 · answer #3 · answered by patsen29 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the starting rotation returns to form and Hampton remains healthy with Hudson returning to his old form is a big question mark. Also the middle relievers must hold leads in the middle innings of games as this has been and issue recently. The Braves have a true closer now in Wickman and a great outfield so that should be their strengths. Another concern is Chipper Jones staying healthy and in the lineup. It's a lot of question marks for now but yes they could possibly return as champs this year and I certainly hope that they do.
2007-03-02 22:11:49 · answer #4 · answered by toughguy2 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I wouldn't count on it. On paper, the Mets and Phillies both look to be considerably better than the Braves. They might be the two best teams in the entire NL, not only the NL East. The Marlins are no slouch, either. The Braves might contend in the Central, but considering the division they're in, they've got their work cut out for them.
2007-03-02 22:25:56 · answer #5 · answered by baseballhistoryguy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If everyone is healthy, they will cruise to a division title. The Mets are not nearly as strong as they seem to be. The Braves were chasing them into August last year with an injury plagued rookie filled team. With Hampton looking good, Hudson back, and Smoltzie as he always is...great...they got it. Plus Francouer is a year older and you still have the Jones boys. Braves win it all in 2007! Get ready punks!!!
2007-03-02 21:53:01 · answer #6 · answered by Yankee Killer 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Everyone is says no, you all is hatin on the Braves. The Braves are bout to win it all this year. This year their pitching rotation will be better, as long as their pitching is good? They will win. GO BRAVES!!
2007-03-03 00:16:08 · answer #7 · answered by ~*mU$t@Ng B@sEb@lL*~ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think they have a good chance to win, in a strong division.
if the starting pitching comes back to form, with a better bullpen and strong hitting, i think they will be in it to the end, and could pull out another championship.
2007-03-03 10:30:15 · answer #8 · answered by IMAGUY 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have a good shot, especially if Hampton is healthy and Hudson can return to form. They also have a much better bullpen than last year.
2007-03-02 21:47:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
No.
They've had thier little 15 minutes of fame.
It's somebody else's turn.
2007-03-02 23:59:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋