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Braves vs. Nationals
When: 1 p.m. Thursday
Where: Washington
Pitchers: Braves, RHP Derek Lowe; Nationals, RHP Livan Hernandez
TV, radio: SportSouth; 99.3 FM, 1240 AM
Weather outlook: The National Weather Service is calling for a 60 percent chance of rain Thursday and a 90 percent chance Thursday night. The high Thursday is expected to be 46 degrees; the predicted low is 35.
With a roster patched together by midseason acquisitions, role players and rookies, the 2010 Atlanta Braves nearly made magic happen. In Bobby Cox’s last season on the bench, the Braves overcame a cruel string of injuries and got back to the playoffs for the first time in five years before falling to eventual World Series champion San Francisco in heartbreaking fashion.
This season, with Cox protege Fredi Gonzalez taking the place of the legendary manager, they hope to take it a step — or two — further.
Strength
Starting pitching
There’s no weak spot to speak of in the starting rotation, especially if Beachy or Mike Minor, who will begin the season at Triple-A, come through on the promise they’ve shown this spring and in the minors. It may not have Philadelphia’s top-end star power, but the Braves’ starting five should be one of the best in the NL.
Weakness
Defense
The Braves were 25th in the major leagues last season in fielding percentage, and while Uggla should improve the offense, the defense could be weakened. Uggla made more errors than any other NL second baseman last season.
Question marks
1B, 3B, CF, bullpen
The performance at these positions could mean the difference between a deep run in the playoffs and a season of disappointment. If Freeman holds his own as a rookie, Chipper stays healthy, McLouth rebounds and the closer-by-committee approach works out, the Braves are a legitimate threat in the National League.
New faces
Former Floridians
The Braves’ most notable additions, Uggla and Gonzalez, both began last season with division rival Florida . Uggla is the pure power-hitter the Braves have sorely lacked since trading Mark Teixeira in 2008. Gonzalez, a former third base coach under Cox, has made the transition an easy one for veteran players.
New places
Martin in left, J-Hey at sixth
Uggla’s arrival necessitated the shift of Prado to left field. The do-everything Prado has only played four games in the outfield for Atlanta in his career, so there could be a transition period. Heyward, who hit second in the order for most of his rookie season, will start at No. 6 in hopes he can be a run-producer instead of a table-setter.
The lineup
Martin Prado, LF
Bats: R
2010: .307, 15 HR, 66 RBIs
Nate McLouth, CF
Bats: L
2010: .190, 6 HR, 24 RBIs
Chipper Jones, 3B
Bats: S
2010: .265, 10 HR, 46 RBIs
Brian McCann, C
Bats: L
2010: .269, 21 HR, 77 RBIs
Dan Uggla, 2B
Bats: R
2010: .287, 33 HR, 105 RBIs
Jason Heyward, RF
Bats: L
2010: .277, 18 HR, 72 RBIs, 11 SBs
Alex Gonzalez, SS
Bats: R
2010: .250, 23 HR, 88 RBIs
Freddie Freeman, 1B
Bats: L
2010: .319, 18 HR at Triple-A
The rotation
Derek Lowe
Throws: R
2010:
16-12, 4.00
Tommy Hanson
Throws: R
2010:
10-11, 3.33
Tim Hudson
Throws: R
2010:
17-9, 2.83
Jair Jurrjens
Throws: R
2010:
7-6, 4.64
Brandon Beachy
Throws: R
2010: 1.73 ERA in minors
The closers
Craig Kimbrel
Throws: R
2010: 0.44, 40Ks, 20.2 IP
Jonny Venters
Throws: L
2010: 1.95, 93Ks, 83 IP