This story was excerpted from Mark Bowman's Braves Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
ATLANTA -- The Braves aren¡¯t saying ¡°World Series or bust¡± this year. But there¡¯s no doubt they believe they are more than capable of winning it all for the second time in five seasons.
Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale heads a rotation that will become even more formidable when Spencer Strider returns from right elbow surgery in a couple of weeks. As for the offense, it should benefit from the offseason addition of Jurickson Profar, who will fill the leadoff spot until Ronald Acuña Jr. makes his expected return from left knee surgery in May.
Here is a look at what to expect from the Braves, who will open the season in San Diego on Thursday at 4:10 p.m. ET.
What needs to go right? Stay healthy
The roster construction gave the 2024 Braves a chance to be one of the strongest clubs in franchise history. But six of 10 Opening Day participants missed at least two months because of an injury. It can¡¯t happen two seasons in a row, right? Once Strider returns in April, the Braves will have one of the game¡¯s best rotations. Sale, Reynaldo Lopez and Spencer Schwellenbach proved more durable than expected last year. Can they do it again? Atlanta's offense was one of the strongest baseball has seen in 2023. Last year¡¯s lineup was never really whole. But once Acu?a joins Austin Riley, Matt Olson and Marcell Ozuna at the top of the lineup this year, this could once again be an electric offense.
What is the great unknown? Bullpen depth
Raisel Iglesias is one of the game¡¯s best closers and Pierce Johnson has shown the ability to be a reliable setup man. But with Joe Jimenez set to miss most or all of this season and A.J. Minter now a Met, the Braves will need to replace two of their best relievers from the 2024 season. Can Dylan Lee and Aaron Bummer prove effective in high-leverage roles? Will H¨¦ctor Neris¡¯ experience prove valuable? Was Enyel De Los Santos¡¯ impressive spring an indication he¡¯ll enjoy a productive summer? Will Craig Kimbrel rekindle the success he had in Atlanta a decade ago? The Braves have created experienced depth with the late additions of Neris and Kimbrel. Now, they must hope the depth helps erase the concerns surrounding this relief corps.
Most important thing learned in camp: Drake Baldwin appears to be ready
Baldwin, who ranks as baseball¡¯s No. 62 prospect and the Braves¡¯ No. 1 prospect, will make his MLB debut when he catches Sale on Opening Day Thursday. The 23-year-old catcher¡¯s timeline was accelerated when Sean Murphy cracked a rib and learned he¡¯d miss the first week or two of the regular season. Early concerns evaporated as Baldwin showed he has made great strides defensively. We know he¡¯ll be with Atlanta to begin the season. We may soon see him become a mainstay in the club's lineup for many years to come.
Team MVP: Austin Riley
Five months of Acu?a will put him in consideration, but this is the year that everything will come together for Riley. The third baseman will enjoy his first 40-homer season and win his first Gold Glove Award.
Team Cy Young Award: Chris Sale
Five and a half months of Strider will put him in consideration, but as long as Sale stays healthy, he¡¯ll make a strong bid for a second straight NL Cy Young Award. But even after missing the season¡¯s first couple weeks, Strider will still lead the Majors in strikeouts.
Bold prediction: Michael Harris II will have a 30/30 season
Harris is preparing for what is just his fifth full season above the high school level. He¡¯s already won an NL Rookie of the Year Award and has proven to be one of the game¡¯s top defensive center fielders. Injuries have limited him in both of the past two seasons, but this is the year he will stay healthy and will back a 30-homer season with 30-plus steals.