While the Atlanta Braves didn’t win their division in the last year behind manager Bobby Cox, they were able to end the year second in the division and grab the wild card spot with a record of 91-71.
The Braves will open the 2011 year with new manager Fredi Gonzalez. With the addition of infielder Dan Uggla, the Braves have a real good shot at making it back to the postseason. Here is a closer look at Atlanta’s starting lineup and starting rotation for 2011, plus our MLB predictions on where they will finish the season in the NL East.
Starting Lineup
The Braves really lacked power in the middle of the lineup last season with Chipper Jones on the DL, which is a why Atlanta went out and added Uggla, who smashed 33 homeruns with 105 RBIs in 2010. Uggla should continue to produce for the Braves, he has averaged 31 homeruns and 93 RBIs over the last five seasons.
The health of Jones is one of the deciding factors in just how good Atlanta’s batting order is this season. Jones isn’t the young stud he once was, and will more than likely struggle to get through the year, but when healthy, he is one of the better hitters in the game. Don’t be surprised if Atlanta gets even more production out of right fielder Jason Heyward, who hit 18 homeruns with 72 RBIs in his rookie season. If he has an even better year, the Braves won’t have to rely so much on the health of Jones.
After that the Braves have some really nice hitters in catcher Brian McCann, who led all NL catchers with 21 homeruns, shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who tied a career-high with 23 homeruns, and left fielder Martin Prado, who hit a career best 15 homeruns.
Freddie Freeman is expected to take over at first base, but struggled in his time spent in majors last season. Nate McLouth will start the season in center, despite a unsatisfying season where he spent a lot of time in the minors.
Starting Rotation
The Braves couldn’t have been more thrilled with the year they got from starter Tim Hudson, who won the NL Comeback Player of the Year, with a solid 17-9 record to go along with a 2.83 ERA and 1.150 WHIP. When not bothered by injuries, Hudson is one of the best pitchers in the league.
Next in line after Hudson, is Derek Lowe, who really carried the Braves to the playoffs with a 5-0 record and 1.17 ERA in the month of September. Even with the great finish, Lowe ended the season with an ERA over 4.00, and at 38-years-old, we wouldn’t be surprised if he dropped off some this year.
If Lowe has a hard time, Atlanta could turn to Tommy Hanson to take control of the No. 2 spot in the rotation. While Hanson went 10-11 in 2010, his 3.33 ERA and 1.18 WHIP indicate he didn’t get a whole lot of run support. We expect Hanson to have a much better record this season, and finish near the 15-18 win mark.
The last two spots in the starting rotation belong to Jair Jurrjens and Mike Minor. Jurrjens battled injuries and wasn’t close to the player he was in 2009. There’s a good chance he will return to his old form if he can stay healthy. Minor is a young left handed pitcher that is just getting use to pitching at the big league level. He went 3-2 with a high 5.98 ERA in 2010, but should only get better as he continues to mature.
2011 Projections: 2nd Place NL East
With the rotation and lineup the Phillies enter 2011 with, it is going to be difficult for Atlanta to win the division crown this season. Still, the Braves figures to be a solid contender to take home the NL wild card spot again this year. The Braves MLB odds to win the division are currently +450.
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