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2008 MLB
Predictions
2008 Atlanta Braves Predictions & Season
Preview
The
Braves won 14 straight
division titles before
missing October baseball the
past two seasons. Will the
familiar face of Tom Glavine
and the added power of Mark
Teixeira put the Braves back
in division contention? Find
out in Jimmy Boyd’s 2008
Atlanta Braves Predictions.
Starting Rotation/Bullpen
The Braves may have won 84
games last season, but there
is no denying that the
rotation was a mess at
times. Strong starting
pitching has been a staple
at Atlanta and looked like
it would be again in 2007
with John Smoltz, Tim
Hudson, Mike Hampton, Chuck
James, and Kyle Davies
toeing the rubber. The
oft-injured Hampton never
made it out of spring
training, Davies was a bust,
and James was inconsistent
as a number three starter.
Atlanta is hoping that the
return of Tom Glavine will
be the remedy. If Hampton
can stay healthy and Glavine
can stay durable, Atlanta’s
starting rotation will be a
major strength. 40-year-old
John Smoltz continues to
amaze. He went 14-8 with a
3.11 ERA last season and
shook off any pain that came
knocking. Hudson went 16-10
with a 3.33 ERA and Glavine
brings a 13-8 2007 into
town. With three guys
capable of 15 wins, the
Braves should be in good
shape.
Without Bob Wickman, Rafael
Soriano will take the closer
role again. With 70 Ks and
just 15 walks in 72 innings
last season, he looks to be
awfully tough. Peter Moylan
was the Braves workhorse out
of the pen last year and one
of the better setup men in
the league. The rest of the
guys will likely let the
Braves down.
Batting Order
Shortstop Yunel Escobar will
be filling the big shoes of
Edgar Renteria, but if the
scouts are right, he could
be the game’s next big
shortstop. Kelly Johnson
will bat second and play
second. The Braves will take
another season of 16
homeruns and 68 RBIs out of
him. Third baseman Chipper
Jones still swings one of
the best bats in the game.
He slugged 29 homeruns in
2007 and added 102 RBIs.
Mark Teixeira will hit
fourth and play the other
corner. In 54 games with the
Braves at the end of last
season, he hit .317 with 17
homeruns and 56 RBIs. Look
for a breakout year from
him. Right fielder Jeff
Francoeur is putting up
solid numbers (19 homeruns
and 105 RBIs last season),
but the organization is
waiting for this guy to hit
40 bombs and 135 RBIs. Catch
Brian McCann proved his 2006
numbers were no fluke with
24 homeruns and 93 RBIs last
season. He clearly is among
the game’s best power
hitters at his position.
Matt Diaz looks like he will
bat seventh and play left
field with Mark Kotsay in
center and batting eighth.
The Braves will look a
little different without
Andruw Jones roaming
centerfield and slugging
homeruns, but I don’t think
you’ll see a big drop off.
Mark Teixeira can pick up
the slack and the addition
of Glavine gives Atlanta
another quality starter.
Expect the Braves to be the
second place team in this
division.
Jimmy Boyd owned the books
on his way to a world
handicapping title in the
2007 MLB season. No
handicapper on the planet
brought in more bank for
their clients and you can
bet your right arm that
Jimmy will come out on top
again in 2008. Make sure
you’re along for the
profitable ride.
Odds to win NL East:
5/1
Odds to win 2008 NL Pennant:
11/1
Odds to win 2008 World
Series:
30/1
Other Predictions for the 2008 Season:
Updated February 16th, 2008
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