Morning Chop: Braves News 3/30
By Jeff Schafer
Braves’ value placed at $629 million on Forbes list
"The Atlanta Braves team is the 15th most valuable Major League Baseball franchise, according to Forbes magazine latest roundup.The detailed report places the Braves’ value at $629 million. The value has grown 57 percent since Liberty Media first purchased the team from Time Warner for $400 million in 2007. Before then the team was owned by former Atlanta media mogul Ted Turner.The Top 5 most valuable teams in the MLB are the New York Yankees ($2.3 billion); Los Angeles Dodgers ($1.6 billion); Boston Red Sox ($1.3 billion); Chicago Cubs ($1 billion); and Philadelphia Phillies ($893 million)."
Opening Day 2013: Atlanta Braves Vs. Philadelphia Phillies Series Preview
"March 26, 2013; Lakeland, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tim Hudson (15) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsIt’s finally here: opening day 2013. At long last, the Atlanta Braves get the opportunity to remove the awful taste they have had lingering in their mouths since the St. Louis Cardinals forcibly removed them from the playoffs in the wild-card play-in game last season.Opening day will be exactly 177 days since Atlanta’s dreaded postseason collapse. And while they will still have to patiently wait until July 26 to mount their Quentin Tarantino-style revenge on the Cardinals, the Braves will first get the chance to take out their frustrations on one of their most hated rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies went 81-81 last season, but are hoping that a healthy Chase Utley and Ryan Howard will allow them to make the NL East a three-team race in 2013.Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia PhilliesMon, Apr 1 7:10 p.m. (ET) ESPN National BroadcastGame 1 Pitching Matchup: Tim Hudson (R) vs. Cole Hamels (L)"
MLB Preview: Predicting who will win the National League East
"March 26, 2013; Lakeland, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons (19) prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports2. Atlanta Braves – 94-68; second place finish in 2012Rationale: The Braves made noise this off-season by acquiring both B.J. Upton and Justin Upton. The brothers, combined with Jason Heyward, give the Braves the best outfield in baseball. The rotation is anchored by veteran Tim Hudson and includes several exciting young pitchers, including Kris Medlan, who was super impressive in 2012.Player to watch: Andrelton SimmonsAt just 23 years of age, Simmons has already shown that he can play defense at the Major League level and now will look to become a force offensively as well.Biggest concern: Brian McCannMcCann will start the season on the DL and could be out until May. The Braves will need McCann sooner rather later in order to compete with the Nationals for the NL East title."
2013 Major League Baseball Season Preview
National League – * Denotes Playoff Team
"NL East*Washington Nationals (94-68) – The Nationals are my pick to win the World Series. The combination of starting pitching, bullpen, and lineup are just too strong. They could potentially have both the NL CY Young Award winner in Stephen Strasburg and the NL MVP Award winner in Bryce Harper this season.*Atlanta Braves (92-70) – I really, really like this team. I’ll go as far as to say I like this team so much that I almost picked them to finish ahead of the Nationals in the division and win the World Series. If starting pitchers Kris Medlen and Julio Teheran can live up to their hype, I think it could happen."
2013 MLB Preview part 4: 162 Things Guaranteed to Happen in the 2013 MLB Season
"Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports100. Eric Hosmer will do better than last year but still won’t be at the level the hype surrounding him suggested.101. Whatever team in the AL West does the worst against the Astros will not make the playoffs.102. Neither of last season’s managers of the year will win it again this season.103. Mike Zunino will make his MLB debut this season for the Mariners.104. Kris Medlen will not due as well as he did late last season, but will still be very good.105. Other than Giancarlo Stanton, Steve Cishek will be the best player for the Marlins."