Predictions '09: Atlanta Braves

Let us see what Bobby Cox does with an Atlanta team that hasn’t made the playoffs for the past 3 years. A few acquisitions over the past half-year should improve their chances. Casey Kotchman helped last season and should step up a little bit in 2009. Derek Lowe and Javier Vazquez should improve a young rotation missing all of the ‘90s dominance. Chipper Jones had a great season last year batting .364. He won’t hit that high, but expect more than 3 hits in 10 at bats from him. Cox is a great manager. Management trusts him to win some ball games. But I feel like its going to be the battle for third place (with the Marlins) behind the Mets and Phillies.
Highlights: Jair Jurrjens had 13 wins, 188.1 innings, and 139 strikeouts last year as a rookie. All of these led the team. As their third starter, he’ll be a wonderful asset behind Lowe and Vazquez.

Question Mark: Jeff Francoeur was supposed to be the new face of the ball club. High expectations were met a couple years ago. But last season, his numbers dropped to .239/11 homeruns. If his face is going to be on all the team store’s rally towels, back packs, and souvenir clappers, he’s going to have to pick it up this year.

Key to Success: The Braves outfielders hit a total of 27 home runs last season, fewest for an NL team since 1994. Jeff Francoer, Matt Diaz, and Josh Anderson are the 6, 7, and 8 hitters. Now I’m not saying that they have to start swinging for the fences, but they will have to start making nice contact. The rest of the line up is pretty solid. So with them and a solid rotation, Cox may make it back to the playoffs… righhhhttttt.

Prediction: 4th Place