
Atlanta Braves logo.
Heading into 2011, the Atlanta Braves were a championship caliber team and played that way for the first five months of the season.
The Braves were the NL’s version of the Red Sox, arriving in September with an 8.5 game lead for the wild card only to blow it and land in a jam. The Braves had to win the last game left in the regular 2011 season just for a chance to play the St. Louis Cardinals for the NL Wild Card but that never happened because the Braves lost again, and their October dreams went down the toilet.
It was ugly and while maybe not as embarrassing as the Red Sox, for any team who won 89 games the implosion surely must have humbled them.
The Braves did next to nothing in the off-season to improve, which means Atlanta is confident they can win with what they have. The question remains is the 2011 team determined enough to prevent another season with no October baseball?
Let’s take look….
THE POSITIVES:
The Braves had all-around strong pitching last season finishing with the fourth best ERA (3.48), while pitching the most innings (1479.2) in the NL; and minus Derek Lowe being traded to the Indians the same group returns in tact in 2012. Starting rotation looks to be featuring Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens , Mike Minor and Brandon Beachy. All are but 36-year old Hudson are 26 or younger and the veteran ace will be starting the season on the disabled list as he is coming back from off-season back surgery. They also had a recent blow this spring when top-pitching prospect Arodys Vizcaino had to have Tommy John surgery and will be out till 2013. The Braves were expecting big things from Vizcaino this season, especially with Hudson still recovering. Luckily the Braves have some depth in the minors and 21-year old top prospect Julio Teheran will luckily step in until Jones gets healthy.
The bullpen looks rock solid with Johnny Venters setting up for the 2011 Rookie of the Year recipient closer Craig Kimbrel, who posted a 2.10 ERA, over 77 innings in 2011. He tied for second most saves in baseball with 46 and that was because he struck out 127 batters. Expect big things from this 23-year old in 2012.
THE NEGATIVES: Continue reading ‘2012 MLB Team Preview: Atlanta Braves’ »









