It has been 15 years since the Atlanta Braves have made the playoffs in three consecutive years, but given that they have increased their win totals the last five seasons, it certainly seems likely once again this year. In 2019, Atlanta ranked in the top five in the National League in pitching, team bullpen ERA and hitting. The Braves should emerge as a consensus favorite to win the National League East, and while the Dodgers have spent more money, you have to look at their acquisitions — is David Price really still an ace-level pitcher? What can Clayton Kershaw really contribute down the stretch after getting shelled in three straight postseasons? — the Braves, along with the Phillies, should emerge to show that this year is all about the NL East when it comes to producing a contender. For those of you who want to include MLB Odds & MLB futures in your sports betting, we have a pre-season look at the 2020 Atlanta Braves.
MLB: Atlanta Braves 2020 Pre-Season Analysis
Atlanta Braves Offensive Analysis
It’s time for two young, talented bats to produce all season long — Ronald Acuna Jr and Ozzie Albies. There’s also Freddie Freeman, who can do damage, and with Marcell Ozuna likely hitting in the four-hole, he should come up often with Braves on base ahead of him. Then there’s Nick Markakis, who could have another breakout season. On the bench, they have Rafael Ortega and Adam Duvall who can step in and pinch-hit or start when needed. On the farm, Drew Waters and Cristian Pache are the first two likely contributors for the big club.
Atlanta Braves Defensive Analysis
Who will start at third base? Josh Donaldson is now a Minnesota Twin. It looked like the Braves might try to trade for Kris Bryant or Nolan Arenado, but those rumors are now starting to cool off. They signed Yangervis Solarte in the off-season, but Johan Camargo and Austin Riley look like the top two candidates. Camargo was the starter at times last year in relief of Donaldson, posting a 3.7 WAR. Riley hit .324 with nine home runs in his first 18 games. However, he can’t hit the offspeed stuff, and once pitchers found out and adjusted their approach, he had nine more home runs, but it took 203 at-bats, and he batted .192 over that stretch.
Atlanta Braves Key Offseason Moves
Marcell Ozuna is an intriguing addition, and he will bat in the middle of the Atlanta order. His production did drop significantly with St. Louis last year, but over the last three seasons, his batting average is a combined .281 and he has averaged 30 home runs per campaign. The Braves needed stability at catcher, and that is what Travis d’Arnaud gives them, along with some discipline at the plate. Will Smith joins the bullpen with nasty stuff that hitters will struggle to find. Last year, the Braves had some frustration late in games because of their relievers, and Smith should add some stability.
The biggest acquisition is King Felix, as the longtime Seattle Mariners ace coming to Georgia. Leaving Seattle should mean that expectations are somewhat tempered, and if he can pitch in the middle of the rotation, that will just be gravy. The rotation also adds Cole Hamels, who was dominant in Philadelphia but struggled to find that same level in Texas and with the Cubs. Could he pitch to the back of the rotation?
Some Braves on the way out include Julio Teheran, who had spent nine years as a starting pitcher for Atlanta. He won 77 games and pitched 1,360 innings with 1,184 strikeouts. Dallas Keuchel, the former Cy Young winner, came to the Braves fairly late in the campaign and threw 112.2 innings, fanning 91 men in one season. Now he will be with the White Sox.
The Braves are all in this season, with a payroll over $150 million — almost $28 million more than their previous record. If the Philadelphia Phillies can stay healthy — and if the Washington Nationals have another season above expectations — the National League East will be a tough division. However, the Braves have the talent and the experience to fight through both teams and make a deep postseason run.
