MLB SHOWDOWN 2019 SET -- Atlanta Braves

The 2019 Atlanta Braves were one of my favorite teams to watch this season. As an Indians fan I get to see Francisco Lindor enjoy himself 162 games a year, and watching the Braves and the youthful Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies having fun while playing is a great time. Add in one of my favorite players in Josh Donaldson, and as you will see below, have some fun in the dug outs with the help of an umbrella. The Braves won 97 games this year finishing with a 97-65 record to win the very tough NL East for the second straight season. Sadly on October 9th, they became the first team in MLB playoff history to allow 10 runs in the first inning of a playoff game. So here we go with the 2019 Atlanta Braves.

The cut out y'all didn't know you wanted in some alt calcs!

Lineup: The Braves lineup isn't as powerful and eye pooping as the Nationals and Astros, but they bring a top heavy order that can do plenty of damage to any opposing pitching staff. Starting off with Ronald Acuna who did everything this season with 41 homers and 37 stolen bases. Ozzie Albies comes in second with his speed A and solid defense on top of a fun chart doubling at 13. Freddie Freeman hitting third with his terrible defensive season, but the increase in his batting over last year will make a huge impact. Finally the Bringer of Rain brought his umbrella for the amount of rain he is bringing to MLB Showdown this season. Markakis is very similar to last year, and Joyce brings another 10 OB to the lineup. After that nothing particularly great, unless Austin Riley gets his chart.

Bench: The bench brings a great defensive and speed replacement in Billy Hamilton, and Tyler Flowers who is interchangeable with McCann based on what you are looking for in a particular game.

Rotation: The Braves rotation brings a heavy ace in Mike Soroka who brings an upgrade to last years Mike Foltynewicz tier 2 card, after that they have 3 average starters in the 360 and 340 point starters in Keuchel, Fried and Teheran. Rounding out the rotation is Mike Foltynewicz who hopefully will bounce back in 2020 fully healthy.  

Bullpen: The Braves bring a deep army of arms in their bullpen but after the first 3 arms, its a crap shoot from that point on. Newly acquired closer Shane Green is a perfect closer for a league for his value. He's followed by 4 tier 3 relievers. The rest of the bullpen isn't very flashy but if they end up in extra innings they have the arms to keep their pitchers fresh longer than most of their opponents. 

That is it for the 2019 Braves who I think will be tons of fun to play with when you can get that top 4 on the bases and have some of your own dugout celebrations. In tradition with my other posts of average points per player, the Atlanta braves come in with 23 players totaling at 5910 points, an average of 256 points per player. That seems to fit the team as they fall between the Nationals and Cardinals in terms of average points per player.