MLB Baseball Betting- Atlanta Braves

Manager: Bobby Cox (19th season)

2007: 84-78, third place NL East

Training

Town: The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports, Kissimmee, Fla.

Home

Park: Turner Field, Atlanta, Ga., Cap. 50,096, Grass, Opened April 4, 1997.

World Series Titles: (3) 1914, 1957, 1995

Acquisitions: LHP Tom Glavine, CF Mark Kotsay, RHP Will Ohman, 2B Omar Infante, RHP Jeff Ridgway, RHP Jair Jurrjens

Departures: CF Andruw Jones, SS Edgar Renteria, 1B Julio Franco, RHP Octavio Dotel, OF Willie Harris, RHP Joey Devine, RHP Oscar Villarreal

Outlook: The Braves may not be getting as much national media attention in the National League East as the New York Mets or Philadelphia Phillies entering the 2008 regular season, but the Braves have plans on getting back to the postseason this year and certainly have a legitimate chance to accomplish the feat.

Atlanta has the makings of a solid starting rotation this season with the often-overpowering Tim Hudson leading the way and aging veterans John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton supporting him. The Braves’ best pitcher however may be youngster Jair Jurrjens who went 3-1 last season in seven starts and has been Atlanta’s most impressive pitcher this spring.

While the Braves have the makings of a solid rotation, questions abound in the bullpen with unproven right-hander Rafael Soriano expected to take over the closer’s role but struggling this spring along with some of Atlanta’s other young pitchers like Tyler Yates.

However, Atlanta’s impressive batting order should be able to help their pitching staff out immensely while simply out-slugging some opponents this season.

Despite the loss of longtime defensive ace, centerfielder Andruw Jones and all-star caliber shortstop Edgar Renteria, the Braves have a solid lineup led by third baseman Chipper Jones who batted .337 last season in 513 at-bats while driving in 102 runs and scoring 108.

Former Texas Rangers all-star first baseman Mark Teixeira is aboard for his first full season in Atlanta and batted .317 in 208 at-bats with the Braves last season while blossoming right fielder Jeff Francoeur batted .293 while driving in 105 runs in 642 at-bats while playing in every game.

The Braves acquired former Oakland A’s centerfielder Mark Kotsay to replace Jones and are hoping Kotsay can stay healthy while avoiding another season like last year when he batted a pitiful .214 in 56 games and 206 at-bats with just one home run and 20 RBI.

Left fielder Matt Diaz is a budding star after batting .338 in 358 at-bats over 135 games last season while young shortstop Yunel Escobar played so well last season that the Braves felt the decision to let Renteria go was simple. Escobar batted .326 in 94 games and 319 at-bats.

The Braves open the season listed at +2800 to win the 2008 World Series in the futures section of the BetUS Sportsbook. Check out all the latest MLB Odds in the BetUS Sportsbook.

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Official Website: www.atlantabraves.com