MLB Preview: Time to get Brave
The Braves are a scrappy team that lacked postseason experience until last season that saw them advance to to the NLCS where they were defeated by the eventual World Series Champions Los Angeles Dodgers four games to three. Losing in game 7 was certainly a heartbreaker that struck deep with the fans, but more so the players. They nearly defeated one of the best teams in baseball but the Dodgers proved themselves and got over the hump to win the World Series for the first time in decades. However, lessons are often best learned from losing and the Braves learned a lot. They got the deep playoff experience to help propel them for this post COVID-19 season. Expect the Braves to come back with a fire in their stomachs.
Offseason Acquisitions
The first big move the Atlanta Braves made to gear up for a World Series run was to sign former Giants LHP Drew Smyly to a one year deal worth 11 million dollars. Smyly has one of his better years with the Giants as he threw for an ERA of 3.42 in five starts.
The Braves splash into free agency to acquire starting pitchers didn’t end with Smyly as they inked former Tampa Rays ace Charlie Morton to a one year deal worth 15 million dollars. The RHP has been absolutely solid in several seasons for the Rays and was crucial to their rotation as he will be crucial to the Braves rotation.
Another major move made by the the front office was to resign Marcell Ozuna to a four deal worth 64 million dollars. The slugger was much needed as Josh Donaldson left in free agency and Ozuna will now be the cleanup hitter. The Braves will certainly miss Donaldson but Marcell Ozuna is just as capable and proved this last season, hence the Braves locking him for the future.
Season Projections
When I made my projections last year, I was to calling a Tampa Rays vs Atlanta Braves World Series but that was obviously thwarted by the Dodgers getting over the playoff hump. The Braves offseason moves suggests that they are still in win now mode, especially with Acuna playing better ball than almost everyone in the league and he is certainly a special player to watch.
The Braves starting pitching rotation is now well rounded by adding Smyly and Morton to join the likes of aces of Soroka and Fried and will look for Ian Anderson to improve upon his incredible season that saw him get hot late. The Braves now boast one of the best starting pitching rotations in the league coupled with solid hitting will definitely lead to a fourth strait NL East division title.
I project the Braves to have an excellent season and go 91-71 in the regular season as they will easily mop up terrible teams. The Braves will also see another deep run into the playoffs and should consider their season a failure if they cannot return to the NLCS once again. This team added players with deep playoff experience that should propel them to make the World Series, which is more than likely if they can get hot late.
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