Braves 2008 season preview The Braves are playing in an east division that for right now seems to be up for grabs, between the Phillies the Mets and the Braves. The Marlins lost their only chances of contention when they traded away Cabrera and Willis. But that toss up could all change if misfortune strikes and the Mets are able to trade for Johan Santana. Then they would probably be the favorite to win the east. The Braves are coming off a strong finish in 2007. Even thought they didn’t make the playoffs they had a strong last month. Thanks to key guys like Chipper who is going to play at third again this year, Mark Texieria who will return for at least one more year, and youngsters Brian McCann and Jeff Francoeur. The Braves have fewer question marks this year than they did last year in terms of the starting 9. But the big one seems to be will the center field situation. They made a temporary fix by trading Joey Devine for Mark Kotsey, but going into spring training Mark, and Anderson will duke it out to find out who will start there. Also like most teams the Braves haven’t filled the fifth spot in there rotation. They are waiting till the end of spring training to decide on whether Mike Hampton who if healthy has a good shot at winning it, Buddy Carlyle, Jair Jurrjens, or Jo-Jo Reyes wins the fifth spot. The bullpens definite’s are Peter Moylan, Manny Acosta, Rafael Soriano, and Tyler Yates, The Men trying to fight for the remaining spots are Jeff Bennett, Blaine Boyer Jair Jurrjens, Anthony Lerew, Will Ohman, Royce Ring, and Phil Stockman. If Jurrjens doesn’t make the starting Rotation then he will most likely be pitching out of the bullpen. Mike Gonzalez is a definite when he returns from his Tommy John Surgery, about a quarter of the way through the season. Rafael Soriano will be the closer and Peter Moylan who posted a 1.80 ERA in 2007 will be his set up man. The Starting Rotation will probably look like this, Tim Hudson, the ace, John Smoltz, the second pitcher, then Tom Glavine whom the braves acquired over the off-season, and Chuck James coming in fourth. Although if a right hander wins the fifth spot in the rotation, you might see Cox put James at the number five so that teams won’t see back to back soft lefties in Glavine and James. The catcher will definitely be Brian McCann but his back-up is still undecided. The three catchers trying out for it are Brayan Pena, the 2007 back up. Also Youngster Clint Sammons or Veteran Javy Lopez. The favorite to win it is Brayan Pena. The third Baseman will be Chipper, the Shortstop Yunel Escobar who is filling in the shoes of All Star Edgar Renteria, at second Kelly Johnson who did a fantastic job there last season. And at first base the big man Mark Texeiria. The backups slash pinch hitters will be Martin Prado, Omar Infante, or Scott Thorman. In the out field it is less certain except for in Right field where Francouer has the Job locked up. In left field the favorite is Matt Diaz, but Josh Anderson and Brandon Jones will try to get the job as well. In center Mark Kotsay will be the favorite but Josh Anderson and Brandon Jones have better shots to play there then in left. The Back will be either Anderson or Jones, assuming they don’t get starting jobs. If I had to make a guess I would say the bench for the braves would look like this Josh Anderson, Martin Prado, and if Infante is healthy him otherwise Thorman. The starting Line up will most likely look like this. 1. Yunel Escobar, He is a pretty safe bet at leadoff. 2. Kelly Johnson, if righty is pitching. If lefty then switch with Diaz. 3. Chipper Jones, Chipper is the easy pick here. 4. Mark Texieria, the big man will bat cleanup in his first full year as a brave. 5. Brain McCann, If lefty than switch Francoeur to fifth 6. Jeff Francoeur, Unless Lefty is pitching 7. Matt Diaz, he has a better stick than Kotsay 8. Mark Kotsay, He will have to prove himself if he wants to start in center. 9. Tim Hudson, Assuming this is opening day. The Braves Schedule has 6 series against each of their east opponents. They also play OAK, LAA, TEX, SEA, in inter league play. A slightly easier schedule than the 2007 inter league schedule.