With the start of the 2019 season rapidly approaching, I believe it’s time that we give you the ultimate breakdown of each division and predict their position in the standings come season’s end. It’s hard to predict record, so we’ll just give you their placement in the standings. Of course, this is coming from a fan’s perspective and what we think it could look like, not what it will. Today, we focus on the National League East and the Atlanta Braves:
Atlanta Braves
2018 record: 90-72, 1st in NL East
Projected Lineup:
CF Ender Inciarte
LF Ronald Acuna Jr
1B Freddie Freeman
3B Josh Donaldson
RF Nick Markakis
2B Ozzie Albies
SS Dansby Swanson
C Tyler Flowers/Brian McCann
Pitcher
Starting Rotation:
RH Mike Foltynewicz
LH Sean Newcomb
RH Julio Teheran
RH Kevin Gausman
RH Touki Toussaint
Key Bullpen Pieces:
RH Arodys Vizcaino
LH A.J. Minter
LH Jonny Venters
Key Bench Pieces:
INF Charlie Culberson
INF Johan Camargo
OF Adam Duvall
Much like the Rays, the Braves were also a surprising team in 2018. We knew they had an up and coming roster with guys like Albies and Acuna Jr., but no one picked them to win 90 games, let alone the NL East. Atlanta has much of the same lineup coming back in 2019 with the addition of the former AL MVP, Josh Donaldson, who only appeared in 52 games with the Blue Jays and Indians last year. The key to this offense as it always has been and will continue to be is Freddie Freeman, who may be the most consistent player in baseball in terms of production. His 162 game averages include a triple slash line of .293/.378/.497, 174 hits, 26 home runs and 39 doubles. I expect him to be in the running for NL MVP this year. One bat that needs to improve is the former number 1 overall pick, Dansby Swanson. In his 3 years in the bigs, Swanson carries just a .243 average with a .314 OBP and 23 home runs. He has battled some injuries in his short career, but if Swanson can live up to his first round draft pick potential, the Braves lineup becomes even deeper.
After Foltynewicz, the Braves rotation is good, but not scary. What hurts even more is that Folty will miss roughly the first month of the season, which can hurt the Braves in the long run with how improved the NL East has gotten. One guy to keep an eye on this year is Toussaint. Appearing in 7 games last year, Toussaint is one of Atlanta’s top prospects with a plus fastball and strong secondary stuff. The Braves hope for him to break out and become a top of the rotation guy in 2019.
Vizcaino is slated to be the 9th inning guy for the Braves after converting 16 saves in 39 games in 2018. 2.11 ERA, 1.174 WHIP in 38.1 innings. The Braves also look to have A.J. Minter to step in and become the lefty out of the pen who can get both lefties and righties out. He, unfortunately, will start the year on the DL with a shoulder issue.
The Braves are hoping that 2018 was the start of another decade of dominance over the division, but with all of the upgrades the Phillies, Nationals and Mets have made, I see Atlanta taking a step or two back in 2019.
2019 prediction: 4th in NL East
