Mlb Records 2011
Season Preview and Roster Breakdown of the 2011 Atlanta Braves
While the Atlanta Braves didn’t win the NL East in the final year under manager Bobby Cox, the Braves were able to end the season second in the division and take home the wild card spot with a 91-71 record. The Braves will begin this year under new manager Fredi Gonzalez. Atlanta went out and added second baseman Dan Uggla, which should help the Braves make another run at the playoffs. Here is a quick breakdown of Atlanta’s starting lineup and starting rotation for the 2011 season, plus our MLB predictions on where they will finish the year in the East.
Starting Lineup
Atlanta lacked production in the middle of the lineup last season with Chipper Jones on the DL, which is a why the Braves went out and acquired Uggla, who smashed 33 home runs with 105 RBIs in 2010. Uggla doesn’t figure to slow down with Atlanta, he has averaged 31 home runs and 93 RBIs over the last five seasons.
The health of Jones will really make a big difference in just how good Atlanta’s batting order is this season. Jones however is 38-years-od, and will most likely struggle to get through the year. Don’t be shocked if Atlanta gets better production out of right fielder Jason Heyward, who hit 18 home runs with 72 RBIs in his rookie season. If he has a breakout season, Atlanta won’t have to depend so much on the health of Jones.
After that the Braves have some really nice hitters in shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who tied a career-high with 23 home runs, left fielder Martin Prado, who hit a career-best 15 home runs, and catcher Brian McCann, who led all NL catchers with 21 home runs.
Freddie Freeman is expected to become the every day starter at first, but didn’t have a whole lot of success in his call up to the majors last year. Nate McLouth will start the season in center, despite a disappointing year where he spent a lot of time at Triple-A.
Starting Rotation
The Braves couldn’t have been more thrilled with the year they got from veteran starter Tim Hudson, who won the NL Comeback Player of the Year, with a very good 17-9 record to go along with a 2.83 ERA and 1.150 WHIP. When healthy, Hudson is one of the best pitchers in the league.
Following Hudson, is Derek Lowe, who helped the Braves to the postseason with a 5-0 record and 1.17 ERA in September. Even with the impressive finish Lowe still ended the year with an ERA over 4.00, and at the age of 38, we wouldn’t be surprised if he dropped off some this season.
If Lowe struggles, Atlanta will likely turn to Tommy Hanson to take over the No. 2 spot in the rotation. While Hanson went 10-11 last season, his 3.33 ERA and 1.18 WHIP show he didn’t get a whole lot of run support. We expect Hanson to have a much better record this season, and could get up near the 17-18 win mark.
The last spots in the rotation belong to Jair Jurrjens and Mike Minor. Jurrjens struggled with injuries and wasn’t anywhere near the player he was in 2009. He could bounce back with a really nice season if he can stay healthy. Minor is an unproven 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 get older.
2011 Projections: 2nd Place NL East
With the team the Phillies have this season, it is going to be difficult for Atlanta to win the East crown this year. Still the Braves figures to be a solid contender to bring home the NL wild card spot again this year.
Jack Jones breaks down the baseball odds each day of the season, but before the first pitch is even thrown is available to produce articles on MLB predictions for your site.
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