The NL East: Atlanta Braves

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

In my first dive into the National League, we'll look at the Atlanta Braves. Much has changed in the ATL since they were eliminated from the playoffs by the eventual World Champion San Francisco Giants. The biggest being in the dugout with the retirement of manager Bobby Cox.

Like a lot of teams, there were a few roster changes that took place as well. Closer Bill Wagner retires. Outfielders Melky Cabrera and Rick Ankiel are gone. Derrek Lee, a mid-season acquisition, has moved on as well. There's others that have left, and you have to wonder if the amount of change will have an adverse effect on the club.

One of the mainstays over the last handful of years has been catcher Brian McCann, the 2010 All-Star Game MVP. Realistically, this might be the most stable position on the team. You know, if healthy, McCann will provide no less than 130 games, around 20 HR, about 90 RBI and have splits close to .275/.355/.475. Those aren't over the top estimates either as all are actually below his career averages.

The infield will have a completely different right side. I already mentioned Lee's departure, but Omar Infante is gone, but the Braves do have Dan Uggla at second. Uggla is a step backward defensively, but he is a major upgrade offensively. Shortstop is in the hands of Alex Gonzalez. While he may not ahve the range he possessed a few years ago, he can still play the position and be productive with the stick.

Third will be manned, possibly, by Chipper Jones. It depends on Chipper's health. After suffering another devastating knee injury last season, some had Chipper leaving the game. It wasn't the way he wanted to depart and I didn't want him to leave that way either. It seemed incomplete somehow.

The biggest question may be at first where rookie Freddie Freeman will assume the duties. He did post impressive numbers in Triple-A and at the beginning of the Arizona Fall League, the Braves are confident he can be successful. Some have said he's on the same path as Jason Heyward was last season. If so, it's sacry. Really scary.

The outfield gets a bit of a makeover as well. Martin Prado is listed as the left fielder. Does it really matter where Prado plays? You know he'll hit. You know he'll give a great effort. Put Prado at any position and he'll produce at the plate. His defense is also a bit underrated.

Nate McClouth has first crack at center. I think the rope will be short though. McClouth struggled last season. You might be wondering what happened to the once "phenom" Jordan Schafer? He might the guy if McClouth can't deliver.

So right field is set. Jason Heyward. Nothing more to say.

What about the pitching?

First Month of MLB Season Recap

With the first month of the Major League Baseball season almost under our belts, let's view some teams and how they have fared during April.

Maddon's Rays are best in baseball.

Surprise Team - American League: Tampa Bay Rays
The fact that the Rays are in first is only a small shocker considering they have to duke it out with the Yankees and Red Sox. Boston hasn't been Boston, but the Yankees are playing .667 ball. Not an issue in Tampa. The Rays are 17-5 (.773), owners of baseball's best record. We know of Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford and B.J. Upton on the offensive side, but the Rays starting pitching has been spectacular. The highest ERA among the starters is Wade Davis at 3.68. That's 27th in the AL. You can't score on them and you can't hit them either. Four of the five starters hold opponents to a batting average under .235. Are you serious? If you can't hit, you can't score and the Rays staff does not yield a lot of hits.

Eckstein can still play.

Surprise Team - National League: San Diego Padres
So much has been made of the AL East leading New York Mets running off seven straight wins that people forget the Padres have a better record and lead the NL West. But how are they keeping up with that 14-8 record, 2nd best in the NL to the St. Louis Cardinals? It is truly a team effort. The pitching staff is 3rd in team ERA (3.05), tied for the NL lead in shutouts (4 with the Mets), allowed the second fewest hits (174 to divisional foe San Francisco at 172) and has struck out the second most batters (179 to the Mets 183). Kevin Correia's 4 wins ties him with the Phillies Roy Halladay for tops in the NL. There's a stat for you!

Konerko is the lone bright spot for the
White Sox.

Disappointing Team - American League: Chicago White Sox
Having a 9-13 record in AL Central may not seem so bad, but the Pale Hose have struggled with what some had presumed the best starting staff in the division. Jake Peavy has been a disappointment to say the least (0-2, 7.85 ERA, 4 HR allowed, 1.81 WHIP). The offense hasn't fared all that much better. No starter has a batting average over .300. One of the big acquisitions during the off-season was Juan Pierre. He has struggled with a .200 average and an on-base percentage of .261. Granted, Paul Konerko is knocking the cover off the ball, but that about covers the White Sox as a whole.

The Braves recent woes may have Cox
pondering why he returned for one last season.

Disappointing Team - National League: Atlanta Braves
So much preseason hype has spiraled downward due to a recent nine game losing streak. Can't have that in the NL East with the Mets playing so well and you know it's only a matter of time before the Philadelphia Phillies get moving. The Braves have the weakest hitting attack in the NL with a .228 team batting average. .228? Only the Houston Astros (68) and Pittsburgh Pirates (80) have scored less runs than the Braves (81). The Braves also rank next to last in the NL in HR (13), total bases (242) and stolen bases (8). The Braves pitching is almost as weak. Only three save opportunities and two of those translated to blown saves. Yes, the Atlanta Braves have one stinkin' save. One last thing. Atlanta is next to last in fielding percentage (.974, 21 errors). Can't win games giving your opponent free at-bats.

Player of the Month - American League: Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees
I don't think there will be a dispute here. Cano is batting .407 with a slugging percentage of .790 (both tops in AL) with 8 HR (2nd in AL) and 17 RBI.

Pitcher of the Month - American League: Matt Garza, Tampa Bay Rays
Hard to argue with a 4-1 record and a 2.06 ERA.

Player of the Month - National League: Kelly Johnson, 2B, Arizona Diamondbacks
The Braves sure could use his bat. 9 HR and a .320 batting average

Pitcher of the Month - National League: Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado Rockies
Jimenez authored a no-hitter adding to his marks of a 5-0 record and a microscopic 0.79 ERA.