Atlanta Braves: 5 Bold Predictions for 2020

Opening Day is coming fast and furious and it is time to look ahead to five bold predictions for the upcoming Atlanta Braves season.

I wrote the same piece about the Atlanta Braves in 2019 and you know what, the predictions were not that bad.

They were:

1. The Braves would have two players finish in the top five of the MVP race.

Reality: Ronald Acuna Jr. finished fifth, while Freddie Freeman finished eighth.

2. No starting pitcher would be traded for.

Reality: So this is actually true in that the Braves did not trade for a starting pitcher. However…they did sign Dallas Keuchel during the season.

3. A big-time bullpen piece would be added.

Reality: While he has struggled this spring, Shane Greene was an All-Star last season, so that counts as a big time bullpen piece to me. Also, if you factor in Mark Melancon and Chris Martin, the bullpen significantly improved at the trade deadline.

4. The Braves would get four All-Stars: Ronald Acuna, Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies and…Sean Newcomb. SEAN NEWCOMB?!

Reality: Well this was fun to look back on. The Braves only had three All-Stars (Acuna, Freeman and Mike Soroka). Picking Newcomb was indeed bold, but after that 2018 season, it was optimistic to think he’d take a step forward in 2019. And he may have, but he wasn’t really given much of a chance and he was needed more in the bullpen.

5. The Braves would not win the NL East, but rather earn one of the two wild card spots.

Reality: See below

So all in all, it was a decent set of predictions. There was nothing too crazy or out there, minus Sean Newcomb. For this year, I tried to be as realistic, yet as bold as possible.

Like last year, leave your thoughts in the comments below.