Atlanta Braves preview

The National League East this year has the makings of a four-team race. Between World Series champions Philadelphia, New York, Florida and Atlanta, the division could be the closest in all of baseball. Only lowly Washington doesn't have a legitimate shot at contending.

Because of that, the Braves will have their hands full trying to get atop the division perch again.

Atlanta Braves: (72-90 in 2008) Last year was full of frustrating for the Braves. They suffered through their worst record since 1990, thanks in large part to starting pitchers Tom Glavine, Tim Hudson, John Smoltz and Mike Hampton all missing significant portions of the season.

Accordingly, general manager Frank Wren picked up durable starters Derek Lowe and Javier Vazquez while adding Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami in hopes of putting less stress on a bullpen that earned a MLB-low 26 saves last year.

STARTING PITCHERS

Gone is Smoltz (now in Boston) and Hampton (now in Houston). Tim Hudson is out until August due to Tommy John Surgery. The trio was replaced with Lowe (14-11, 3.24 ERA last year with the Dodgers), Vazquez (12-16, 4.67 ERA with the White Sox) and Kawakami (3.22 career ERA in Japan). They will team with Jair Jurrjens (13-10, 3.68) and either Tom Glavine, Jo-Jo Reyes or Tommy Hanson to complete the rotation.

Derek Lowe

The 35-year-old Lowe will serve as the new No. 1 after signing a four-year deal in the offseason. There's no reason Lowe shouldn't continue his success when he was in Los Angeles. During his four years there, the sinkerballer didn't have an ERA lower than 3.88, including a 3.24 mark last year. 15+ wins isn't out of the question.

Jair Jurrjens

The second-year hurler enjoyed a strong initial campaign and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. A lot of players go through second-year slumps, so expect the native of Curaco to experience a little more trouble and have an ERA around the 4.00 mark. Still, he could match his win total from last year.

Javier Vazquez

In eight of the last nine seasons, the Puerto Rican has pitched at least 200 innings, which is exactly what the Braves will expect out of him this year. While in the American League, however, Vazquez saw his ERA stay in the fours. His return to the NL, however, should see his ERA around 3.50. Double-digit wins should happen.

Kenshin Kawakami

The Japanese import had a ton of success in the Far East, winning the Central League MVP in 2004. In the United States he won't be in any MVP or Cy Young race, but as the fourth starter he should supply quality depth to the pitching staff. 10+ wins and an ERA above 4.00 is about where he'll perform.

Fifth Spot

It was expected that Glavine would recover from offseason elbow and shoulder surgery to take the fifth spot in the rotation. This week, however, during a rehab start his shoulder started to act up and if doesn't heal in a timely manner, he could retire. Jo-Jo Reyes, who thrives in AAA and struggles in MLB, is expected to fill the roll. When he struggles, big-time prospect Tommy Hanson will get a shot.

BULLPEN

The starting pitchers struggles of a year ago effected the bullpen greatly. Jeff Bennett, who had a 3.70 ERA, threw a career-high 91.1 innings while appearing in 72 games last year. Blaine Boyer also had a career-high 72 innings and showcased a high 5.88 ERA.

Add to the fact that closer Mike Gonzalez was coming off of Tommy John Surgery and both set-up men in Peter Moylan and Rafael Soriano experienced elbow trouble, the bullpen was beaten up a lot.

This year, Gonzalez and Soriano do appear healthy and will be a formidable one-two punch in the eighth and ninth innings. From there, though, it gets a little hairy. Moylan will have to prove he's healthy and Bennett will have to match last year's effort. Boyer along with Jorge Campillo, Buddy Carlyle and lefty-specialist Eric O' Flaherty have a lot to prove.

Overall, if Bennett and Moylan have solid years the bullpen will be in good shape. If not, it will be a long year and more stress will be put on the starting staff. Moreover, if somebody struggles, Manny Acosta, who had a 3.57 ERA in 53 innings last year, is waiting in the minors.

LINEUP

At first look, the lineup looks rather unimposing since nobody has 40+ home run potential. Moreover, there's very little speed to create run-scoring opportunities. But looking further, there isn't a spot in the batting order that doesn't have the potential to hit 15+ homers with a couple players in Chipper Jones and Brian McCann with 25+ homer potential. Accordingly, if the Braves hit well with runners in scoring position, they will score more than enough runs to win plenty of games.

Kelly Johnson

The second baseman will leadoff most of the time and will have to improve upon his .349 OBP% from a year ago. If he does, he'll easily score 100 runs, and with his power potential, will be one of the better-producing second baseman in the NL.

Yunel Escobar

A good defensive shortstop, Escobar is a free-swinger, which isn't ideal for this spot. He does, however, like to go to right field, which could create a lot of hit-and-run chances. If he shows a little more patience, Chipper could see a lot of RBI opportunities.

Chipper Jones

If healthy, the 36-year-old third baseman is one of the best in the game as shown with his league-leading .364 average last year. The problem is Jones hasn't played in more than 137 games since 2004. He'll have to stay healthy for this team to produce.

Brian McCann

The catcher is a top-three commodity at the position and perhaps has the most power potential on the team. He should come close or even surpass his 23-homer total from a year ago while maintaining his .300 batting average.

Garrett Anderson

Anderson compiled more than 2,300 hits as an Angel in the American League. His transition to a new league will be key. If he does struggle, like a lot of players do when switching circuits, the Braves' offense could be in trouble.

Jeff Francoeur

This young outfielder struggled mightily last year at the plate, compiling a .239 batting average. He was even sent down to the minors at one point. In the offseason, he changed to a more open stance. A return to his 2007 form is needed.

Casey Kotchman

Like Anderson, Kotchman spent most of his career as an Angel. Unlike Anderson, he has yet to prove he can hit .300. He's a solid defensive first baseman but by end of the season could be the weak link in the offense.

Jordan Schafer

The young but talented centerfielder was suspended 50 games last year for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. He rebounded nicely and beat out two others for his position. By season's end, this five-tool player could hit leadoff.

BENCH

The Braves' bench is one of the best in the NL. Matt Diaz and Greg Norton are power threats late in the game. Moreover, Omar Infante can play almost any position while giving a solid batting average. Martin Prado can play anywhere on the infield and with the bat finds gaps. Catcher David Ross can supply some power, too. He hit 21 homers for Cincinnati in 2006.

PREDICTION

Thanks to the starting pitching, Atlanta will be in every game. The offense will score plenty of runs in spurts and struggle mightily at times, thanks to Chipper not staying healthy and not having enough speed throughout the batting order. Closer Mike Gonzalez and set-up man Rafael Soriano will be dominant. The problem is the game won't get to the duo enough due to shaky middle relief.

More likely, the Braves will bid for a wild card, only to fall short in September.

The division crown will go to the upstart Florida Marlins.