My 2009 Season Prediction: Braves Will SNEAK into the Playoffs

The Braves sure looked loose last night. The dudes are having fun.

My thoughts and predictions:

1) Derek Lowe: I'm loving Derek Lowe right now. Any sinker-baller will do well on this team. Great defense. Great year for Lowe.

2) Chipper Jones: Chipper will be chipper. I will be content with him playing 125 games. Martin Prado- great back-up.

3) Javier Vasquez: I'm curious to see if Vasquez will return to who he was with the Expos. Sinker-baller... I think so.

4) Kenshin Kawakami: I'm still not completely sold on Kawakami, but I do believe he will at least be solid. Superstar? I'm not POSITIVE, yet. Yes, I think it was a great move bringing him here. I'm just going to be careful with how much hope I put in his ability to perform in this league. I hope he does well and wins over my confidence.

5) Jeff Francoeur: I'm looking for Frenchie to hit around .275 with about 30-35 homers. This open stance will enable him to have his best offensive  year (power-wise) yet. I just hope he can drive those outside-corner fastballs to right field. If so, his average will exceed .275. I'm expecting  a .270-.280 average, a 30-35 HR total, and a 97-111 RBI total.

6) Brian McCann: MVP. No doubt. He looks good... really good. I'm beginning to think he will go down as one of the best offensive catchers in the history of baseball before it's all over with. Of course, that's if he can keep those knees in shape throughout his career. 2009 will be a big year for B-MAC.

7) Casey Kotchman: is going to settle in by the end of this month and start producing. His defense is supurb. His offense will pick-up. He's starting to love Atlanta. He will have a solid year-- something we need from our first basemen.

8) Tom Glavine: For the sake of keeping things positive, I won't go there.

9) Garrett Anderson/ Matt Diaz: This should be interesting. Look for Matty to get some at bats. Matty will make things tough for Bobby.

10) Tommy Hanson: Will be up by early Summer. I'm thinking June. (*See Tom Glavine)

11) Jordan Schafer: will be Rookie of the Year. 5-tool player. He has a balanced amount of cockiness/confidence. Both needed to excel as a 22 year old rookie.

The Braves will be biting at the heels of the Mets and Phillies.

I predict that they will go to the playoffs. Now, whether it's by winning the division or catching the wild-card is yet to be seen, obviously.

I'm expecting big things. Age is no longer an excuse.

New days. New Braves.

A bit optimistic? Absolutely. It's just what we need around here.

I'm out.