With MLB Opening Day only 29 days away and spring training games starting up, baseball season is right around the corner. Over the next month, we will preview all 30 MLB teams for the 2020 season leading up to Opening Day on March 26th. Next up, the Atlanta Braves 2020 preview. Check out the preview for the Arizona Diamondbacks here.
The Atlanta Braves won the NL East for the second season in a row in 2019 after compiling a 97-65 record. The Braves had a 2-1 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS before losing Game 4 in extras and Game 5 by a score of 13-1 to bring their season to an end.
The Braves signed Josh Donaldson to a one-year prove-it deal before the 2019 season and were rewarded with 37 home runs and a .900 OPS. Donaldson turned around and signed a four-year deal with the Minnesota Twins this offseason. That leaves a massive hole at third base and in the middle of the Braves lineup. To try and fill the hole left by Donaldson’s bat, the Braves signed Marcell Ozuna to a one-year deal. Despite the loss of Donaldson, the Braves lineup remains potent with Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, and Freddie Freeman anchoring an offense that finished in the top 10 in the MLB in runs, home runs, and OPS. The pitching staff was a different story last season.
Mike Soroka was the only starter with an ERA under 3.70 for the season and the Braves saw Dallas Keuchel sign with the Chicago White Sox after he had a successful second half after signing late. The Braves also saw long time starter Julio Teheran sign elsewhere in the offseason. Teheran, who spent his first nine MLB seasons with the Braves, averaged over 190 innings per season over the last seven years. To replace their losses, the Braves added veterans Cole Hamels and Felix Hernandez. The Braves will also look to a number of young starters to take the next step including Kyle Wright, Ian Anderson, and Sean Newcomb.
The bullpen was the Braves downfall last season as they blew late leads in games 1 and 4 of the NLDS. To fortify the late innings, the Braves added the best reliever on the market in Will Smith and will have a full season of Mark Melancon after he was acquired from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline.
While the Braves are in a loaded NL East, the two-time reigning division champs have playoff experience that the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies do not have, and beat out the Washington Nationals for the division last season. To retain their place atop the NL East, the Braves need contributions from their young starters and the platoon of Johan Carmargo and Austin Riley at third base.
Follow me on Twitter @DanDamico14. For all things baseball follow @BellyUpBaseball on Twitter.
Check out all my other work for Belly Up Sports here!
