Since 1991, the Atlanta Braves under Bobby Cox have been the winningest team in baseball. This year, however, the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies are favored
Many baseball writers are counting Major League Baseball's winningest franchise since 1991 out of this year’s National League East division race even before the season begins.
Yes, the Atlanta Braves. Since 1991, Braves teams have earned a record 14 consecutive division championships, five National League pennants and a World Series title.
However, the Braves finished third in the division a year ago and no longer are considered serious contenders.
But don’t count the Braves out just yet. They picked up Rafael Soriano to help their pitching staff. They grabbed Pittsburgh closer Mike Gonzalez and Cleveland closer Bob Wickman, which should shore up baseball’s worst bullpen. Pitching is still the question mark, however: Can 40-year-old John Smoltz continue to shine in his return to the starter’s spot? Can Tim Hudson be the Tim Hudson of Oakland days? Can Chuck James maintain his 2006 form? And, most importantly, can lefty Mike Hampton return from more than a year off after Tommy John surgery?
The batting order has been nicknamed “The Lumber Yard” after the Braves finished second in the National League in runs scored, first in slugging percentage, second in team batting average and first in home runs. Many of the players are young, too.
Brian McCann, just 22, is a solid major leaguer behind the plate, hitting a nifty .333 last season. The right side of the infield is questionable but the left side is solid with Chipper Jones at third and Edgar Renteria at short. The outfield, no matter who plays left, is solid with Andruw Jones and Jeff Francoeur.
If you listen to most baseball writers, the race for first in the NL East will be between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. And, on paper, it certainly looks that way, but never count Atlanta manager Bobby Cox’s teams out.
If the New York Mets are to repeat as National League East champions, they have to do it with ageless Tom Glavine, Orlando Hernando and John Maine, along with a combination of Jorge Sosa, Mike Pelfrey, Jason Vargas, Oliver Perez and Pedro Martinez, who probably will open the season on the disabled list. The one thing for certain is a strong closer in Billy Wagner, who approaches 100 m.p.h. often.
The batting order should produces run with Paul Lo Duca, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, David Wright, Moises Alou and Shawn Green in the middle of the lineup. And New York still has aging but agile Julio Franco as a pinch hitter off the bench.
Philadelphia, looking to improve its starting pitching, acquired Freddy Garcia, who won 17 games a season ago, during the winter, as well as Adam Eaton. Eaton has great potential but has been injury-plagued. Also in the starting rotation will be two young arms, Brett Myers and Cole Hamels, with 44-year-old Jamie Moyer slated for the other spot.
Any lineup with Ryan Howard in it is going to be potent, but Chase Utley also appears to be coming into his own. Pat Burrell has home run potential and Jimmy Rollins not only is a good set-up for the sluggers, but he hit 25 HRs last season. The team’s overall success, however, could rest in the play of newcomer Wes Helms, who hit .329 last season.
No one is saying much about the Florida Marlins, except to say they’re the team of the future. However, that future could be now if their young players, particularly their pitchers, come through. With Miquel Cabrera and Hanley Ramirez leading the hitting, the Marlins could be the surprise team in the division.
No one is talking much about the Washington Nationals, either, but with good reason. Nick Johnson may not return until June after a broken leg in a collision in September. Twenty-two-year-old Ryan Zimmerman is a potential all-star and John Patterson leads the starting pitchers. Other than that, the Nationals roster appears interchangeable.
