2009 Atlanta Braves Odds & Predictions

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braves-31209Since Atlanta’s run of 14 straight division title was snapped, it has gone just 235-251 the last three seasons, missing out on the playoffs each year. The signing of free agent pitcher Derrek Lowe and Japanese star Kenshin Kawakami could give the Braves enough of a boost to take third place, but that’s as I as I see this team going. It is interesting with the Braves outside the NL East title talk as they ruled the division for so long, but that is the way it stands at the present. The Atlanta Braves are listed at +2800 to win the 2009 World Series.

Pitching
When you talk about the Braves, their stellar staff of the 1990’s always comes to mind. They don’t have the talent in place taking the mound on a daily basis but pitching remains one of the strengths of this team and free agent acquisition Derrek Lowe should give the rotation a big lift. Since 2002, Lowe has won 106 games, which is tied for third most in the majors during that span. We have come to expect 15 wins and 200-plus innings of work from the imposing righthander. Righthander Javier Vazquez often flies under the radar, but he has averaged nearly 13 wins, 216 innings, and 196 strikeouts per season this decade. The guy the Braves are really excited about is Jair Jurrjens, who led the Braves in wins, with 13, as a rookie. His 3.68 ERA was also something to behold in his rookie year. The test will be how he does now that hitters are more familiar with his stuff. Left hander Jo-Jo Reyes was awful down the stretch of last season, going 0-7 with a 7.81 ERA in his last 13 games. The Braves are going to need better from the only projected lefty in the rotation. The wild card in Kenshin Kawakami from Japan. He is a former Japanese MVP with a 3.22 ERA over the last 11 seasons. Japanese pitchers typically do pretty well when they first make the jump to the bigs as the American hitters aren’t familiar with their stuff. What really hurts the rotation this season is that staff ace Tim Hudson won’t return from elbow surgery before August.

Southpaw closer Mike Gonzalez has been Mr. Reliable for the Tomahawks, converting 44 of 49 career save opportunities and doing it in style with 240 strikeouts. The rest of the pen is up in the air at this point as Rafael Soriano and Peter Moylan are recovering from surgeries.

Lineup
It’s been this way for a while now, but third baseman Chipper Jones is still the heart and soul of the Atlanta Braves order. Chipper hit a career-best .364 in 2008, including .399 in home games. Chipper slugged 22 homeruns and drove in 75. Catcher Brian McCann is certainly one of the best hitting catchers in baseball, leading the majors in doubles, homeruns, and RBIs at his position since 2006. McCann hit .301 with 23 round trippers and 87 RBIs in 2008. There is not much pop in the rest of the lineup. In fact, the Braves ranked 14th in the NL in homers last season. Second baseman Kelly Johnson is Atlanta’s lead off man. He had a .363 on base percentage and jacked 12 homeruns, but he strikes out too much. Shortstop Yunel Escobar, first baseman Casey Kotchman, right fielder Jeff Francoeur, left fielder Matt Diaz, and center fielder Josh Anderson are the rest of the projected starters.

Prediction: 4th NL East
The Atlanta Braves appear average to me in every way and will likely have an average record to show for it. They were 0-9 against the Phillies at home a season ago and will continue to struggle against the league’s elite because they lack fire power at the plate. Third place is the best Braves fans can hope for, but it will likely be fourth. The Atlanta Braves are listed at +300 to win the NL East.

Beat the MLB odds this season with Jimmy Boyd’s award winning baseball picks. Get ready for the best MLB betting season of your life.

About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!
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