The Atlanta Braves are one of the most exciting teams in baseball and their young stars could prove to be impactful in a coronavirus pandemic-shortened season.
The Braves return studs Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, and Dansby Swanson. The team also added Marcell Ozuna to the lineup in the offseason. The rotation is still set with Mike Soroka as its ace but it has veteran Cole Hamels possibly vying for starting rotation slots.
The Braves won the National League East division for the second straight season last year. But the team faltered in the playoffs, losing in five games in the National League Division Series to the St. Louis Cardinals.
A 60-game season could be what the Braves need to make it back to the World Series. The franchise has the young stars to do it. But it's who it will be without that could make the difference.
Freddie Freeman tested positive for coronavirus while Nick Markakis opted out of the 2020 season over health fears. It will be interesting to see if others follow suit.
Through 60 games last season, Atlanta was 33-27 and just a half-game back in the NL East.
Here’s what to know about the team in 2020.
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2019 finish: 1st NL East
2019 record: 97-65
Manager: Brian Snitker
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Projected Starters
C: Travis d’Arnaud
1B: Freddie Freeman
2B: Ozzie Albies
3B: Austin Riley
SS: Dansby Swanson
OF: Adam Duvall
OF: Ender Inciarte
OF: Ronald Acuna Jr.
DH: Marcell Ozuna
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Projected Rotation/Closer
SP: Mike Soroka
SP: Mike Foltynewicz
SP: Max Fried
SP: Cole Hamels
SP: Sean Newcomb
CL: Mark Melancon
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2020 Schedule