Call to the pen
Fansided

1 bold prediction for each National League East team in 2023

By Owen Russell

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Edwin Diaz #39 of the New York Mets speaks to the media before game one of the NL Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field on October 07, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Padres defeated the Mets 7-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Edwin Diaz #39 of the New York Mets speaks to the media before game one of the NL Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field on October 07, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Padres defeated the Mets 7-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves infielder Vaughn Grissom
Aug 30, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Vaughn Grissom (18) throws a runner out at first against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Braves bold prediction: Atlanta’s young core unable to deliver this year

The Atlanta Braves pulled off one of the sneakiest rebuilds in recent years. Perhaps you couldn’t even call it a rebuild, but take a look back at 2021. If you compare Atlanta’s lineup in Game 6 of the 2021 World Series, and their projected lineup for Opening Day, only three starters remain (second baseman Ozzie Albies, third baseman Austin Riley, and outfielder Eddie Rosario). Most teams would crumble after losing Freddie Freeman, Dansby Swanson, and their World Series MVP (Jorge Soler), but Atlanta set themselves up nicely locking down young contributors, and trading for established stars. They’ll be a World Series contender for years to come … but not this year.

There are too many questions looming over Atlanta this season. Can Ronald Acuña Jr. play a full season and replicate his 2019 numbers? What will happen with catcher Travis d’Arnaud now that Sean Murphy is in town? And are outfielder Micahel Harris and shortstop Vaughn Grissom ready to be everyday players? There is no question that the Braves boast plenty of potential, but their core needs time to develop. The rotation is solid, but Charlie Morton is 39 and could show his age.

Atlanta has the unfortunate task of fending off Philadelphia and New York, while also developing their young stars. Because of that, I predict they’ll fail to be World Series contenders in 2023.

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