From MLB. com - the Braves projected Opening Day line-up:
1. CF Nate McLouth: (.190 BA, .298 OBP, .322 SLG, 6 HR, 24 RBIs in 2010)
2. LF Martin Prado: (.307 BA, .350 OBP, .459 SLG, 15 HR, 66 RBIs in 2010)
3. 3B Chipper Jones: (.265 BA, .381 OBP, .426 SLG, 10 HR, 46 RBIs in 2010)
4. C Brian McCann: (.269 BA, .375 OBP, .453 SLG, 21 HR, 77 RBIs in 2010)
5. 2B Dan Uggla: (.287 BA, .369 OBP, .508 SLG, 33 HR, 105 RBIs in 2010)
6. RF Jason Heyward: (.277 BA, .393 OBP, .456 SLG, 18 HR, 72 RBIs in 2010)
7. SS Alex Gonzalez: (.250 BA, .294 OBP, .447 SLG, 23 HR, 88 RBIs in 2010)
8. 1B Freddie Freeman: (.167 BA, 1 HR, 24 ABs in 2010)
My thoughts: I think McLouth is the key to the whole line-up. If he can get back to what he was (I'm 30/70 that he can), then this line-up works. If he isn't going to get on base, he is back to the 8th spot or Jordan Schafer gets another shot.
The other potential problem is Chipper batting third. Again, if he can get back to what he was (I'm 60/40 that he can), then the Braves will score some runs. Otherwise, Fredi Gonzalez will have to make a huge decision to move him down the order...maybe to 6th?
Am I the only one who can picture this line-up by May?
1. Prado
2. Heyward
3. Uggla
4. McCann
5. Jones
6. Freeman
7. Gonzalez
8. McLouth
I'm not sure I don't like that line-up better. Either way, it doesn't strike me as an especially impressive line-up. That could change if a) Heyward emerges as a star in his second year b) Freeman is ready and the real deal c) Uggla is better than advertised d) McLouth gets back to his Pirates form and e) Chipper recovers from his long list of injuries.
Forecast - decent line-up that doesn't hurt the Braves too often, but doesn't bail out too many bad starts either. There will be nights this team cannot generate runs against good (not even great) pitching. If a whole bunch of things go right, we'll be fine. If not, it will be a frustrating offensive season
First!
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