Atantla Braves Predictions, Rumors and News: N.L. East Champions in 2013?

Jan 25, 2013 03:16 PM EST
Braves Celebrate
Braves McCann celebrates his grand slam home run against the Phillies with teammates Bourn and Freeman during the eighth inning of their National League MLB baseball game in Philadelphia Pennsylvania
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Since 2003, the Atlanta Braves haven't the dominant offense they will have 10 years later as they get ready to set off the 2013 campaign. With the acquisitions of B.J. Upton and Justin Upton this offseason, the Braves are getting ready to light up the majors. Check out these predictions, some might be obvious, others will be bold, of what we can expect fro the Braves in 2013. 

Let's look at the lineup and team from last season. 

In 2012, the Braves had a retiring Chipper Jones at third base, who though needed rest, was able to produce for the team. The outfield featured speed and arms with Martin Prado, Michael Bourn and Jason Heyward. Though the speed may have reduced in 2013, the Braves have cannons in the outfield, which will help cut down runners advancing and runners trying to score.

Aside from that, nothing changed in the Braves starting rotation, bullpen or infield. Andrelton Simmons, Dan Uggla, Freddie Freeman and Brian McCann will return in 2013. 

Now, let's look at what will happen in 2013.

Braves Will Lead Majors in Home Runs 
The Braves have six guys who can hit at least 20 homers in a season. Freeman is still coming of age and smacked 23 last season. Uggla struggled after finishing six straight seasons of 30-plus home runs, he only had 19, but he has vowed to work on his struggles.

Justin in his worse year will hit 17 home runs. Many expect the change of scenery to ignite inspiration and allow his best to shine through. His brother B.J. is a streaky hitter who finished with 28 homers in 2012. 

McCaan has hit 20 homers minimum since 2008 and Heyward topped out at 27 to lead the team in home runs in 2012. 

Justin and Uggla are candidates who can even get into the 30-home run mark. They've done it before. You can't sleep on B.J. and Heyward who both were a couple of home runs away from the mark. 

Yeah, yeah, yeah, Turner Field is a tough home run park, but in 2003 the Braves were first in the National League in home runs and third in the majors overall with 235 bombs. They have a more balanced lineup with power from both sides of the plate. So this year, they will challenge the 2003 team.

Lead the League in Strikeouts 
With great power comes great responsibility, Peter Parker's Uncle can tell you that. That will be the Braves' challenge in the new season. Uggla, Heyward and Freeman struckout more than 100 times last season. 

Add the Upton Brothers to the mix and you have B.J.'s 169 K's and Justin's 121 K's. That's close to 300 strikeouts in addition to the close to 500 gathered by the other three Braves from last year. 

Discipline will be key. 

Braves Will Win N.L. East 
Last season it was all about the Washington Nationals. Despite the Braves up and down season, they only finished four games back of first place. Add some thunderous bats to this lineup and the Braves are suddenly neck and neck with the Nationals.

The Nats feature one of the best rookies to have played the game in Bryce Harper alongside Ryan Zimmerman, Adam LaRoche, Jayson Werth (who has been a bit of a let down), Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa. However, without Michael Morse in the mix, this lineup isn't scary.

They added speed to their lineup with the acquisition of Denard Span, but he won't help them hit too many home runs.

The Braves will have to battle against the Nationals pitching as they added Dan Haren over the offseason, but the Braves present one of the overall best teams in the league as their bullpen can hold on to leads. 

Braves Can Win the World Series 
If pitching wins ball games then the Braves young pitching staff are ready to take the team all the way. Towards the end of the season, the Braves young pitching came through. Ironically, it was Chipper Jones' error that probably cost the team from advancing into the divisional series.

With strong young pitching, the Braves are setting themselves up for success. Tim Hudson and Paul Maholm head the rotation in experience. Young guys like Mike Minor and Kris Medlen have earned their spots in the rotation. Julio Teheran could quite possibly also join the team's rotation as Brandon Beachy is expected to return around the All-Star break.

All in all, the Braves have a team filled with studs. Though they always seem to never make it far into the playoffs, they have time to build chemistry. They have a bunch of streaky hitters, but if they get hot at the right time, nobody will be able to stop them and they could possibly be crowned World Series champions of 2013. 

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