Wow alot of negativity for the Atlanta Braves in this blog. You have to admit that at least one of the positives for the Braves will keep on going through out the season. I'm betting that Chipper Jones will keep his pace. He is one of the most pure hitters in baseball.

ahh i love it, bring out the haters now...as SOON as the Braves start playing good baseball the press starts slamming them again. let me guess, next we're gonna hear "this is not their year to win the east, just not a playoff caliber team" haha

That was a waste of time for anyone to read. The Braves are still hot and there previous weaknesses (LF and 1B) are starting to improve greatly. And Johnson doesn't show any signs of losing any momentum due to his excellent plate discipline. It's easy to hit when all you swing at are legitimate strikes. Hudson put maximum effort in his offseason conditioning program and has not came out before the 7th inning all year. That article makes no sense at all.

And exactly how many Brewer games have you watched this year? If you paid attention to the crew you'd know that besides having five decent starters, they have sixth starter in the pen in Villinueva, and two more in triple A in Gallardo and Zack Jackson, who you have probably never heard of because you don't pay attention to teams with payrolls under 90 million. If the Brewers fail it won't be because the pitching doesn't hold up.

No room for improvement beyond Wilson? You've got to be kidding me. I see the entire bullpen improving (Yates has been lights out as of late, and Soriano and Gonzales have picked it up quite a bit). You couldn't be worse than Langerhans in left field - so that production will go way up. We also couldn't do any worse than our no. 5 started Redman - so as soon as we boot him, you'll see a big increase there. As soon as Andruw Jones stops pulling off on everything, his production will go up. And if you've watched the games at all, I think Kelly Johnson is one of the most pure hitters around (reminds me of Chipper and McCann - but with the strike zone knowledge of Barry Bonds) - he can plain rake the ball, makes good contact every time. Also, Frenchy is better than ever.

Yeah, I just don't get the overwhelming doom and gloom for the Bravos. These sound like predictions from someone who only watches baseball from the box scores and last year's baseball almanac. Will all of those braves finish the season on exactly the pace thet're on now? Perhaps not. But to wildly suggest that they will plummet and that two of them will simply break down and go away? Just foolish. The Braves DO have a lingering weakness of concern that could bite them - the back of the rotation - but that somehow bares no mention in this article. The truth of the matter is this: If you actually watch this team play, it's abundantly clear that there's something intangable but very real that's drving them forward. They've been very, very "clutch" through the first five weeks and it doesn't appear to be a fluke at all. The Mets are very good, yes, but the Braves are going to slug it out with them all year long. They aren't going anywhere.

You've certainly thrown alot of possibilities out there about the Braves, haven't you? And I suppose the more you toss out there, the better chance you have of one of them being correct.

Fact of the matter is, you've done little research past looking up cumulative stats from previous years. Certainly, Chipper is off to a torrid start and it would not surprise me to see him cool down...but considering the fact that Andruw is under-performing I could see that as a wash over the course of the season. You then say that Edgar is out-performing his normal self, but in the same breath forget to mention that McCann has not been 100% all year as well. Showing no faith in Johnson to continue his stats all season, you forget that guys like him and Thorman have little major league experience so it is difficult to determine how high their ceilings will go.

And then of course, to throw out the fact that you wouldn't be surprised to see Hudson on the DL is just dumb considering he has thrown 180+ innings every year since '99. Every team in the league would be disrupted if one of their aces got hurt, so singling him out when he has no long history of injury is stupid.

PS...every intelligent baseball fan on the planet could have predicted the O's falling off, so don't pin that to your chest and expect much applause for it.

"Still, the Tribe’s Pythagorean winning percentage (based on the difference between runs scored and runs allowed) is a mere .583."

Oh really? What was it last year, when they had a fairly decent run differential and still managed to have a losing record? These types of statistics don't translate into the real world.

Apparently they let anyone type a column for SI with as little actual baseball knowledge as possible, the Braves have a long track record of success, why should this year be diffrent, they're vastly improved from last years, like another person mentioned, the only glaring weakness is the backend of the rotation. And in the division the Brewers play in, there's no reason they cant place 1st.

Dude, youre an idiot. "Braves are overachievers," give me a break. The Met fans are trying to justify their losing with the same drivel you are spouting here. But realize that if it weren't for a horrible BP last year, the Braves would have waltzed to a 15th title. Their offense is just as potent as it was last year, and now, there's no glaring abyss in the 7-8-9 innings.

What? Are you serious? Did a Mets fan write this article or what? Next thing you know, he'll say that Bobby Cox is going to suffer a heart attack or Turner Field is going to burn down. Come on, give credit where credit is due. The Braves had ONE bad season and suddenly everyone is ready to write them off. Get over it and just enjoy one great rivalry heating up the NL East...

As a Giants fan, I'm deeply offended that you left my team off the list. The pitchers are way over their heads, as the inevitable collapse of Ortiz has shown. Ray Durham has yet to have his annual injuries. Bonds can't continue this hot without at least one other good hitter in the lineup. Benitez can't keep it up. And they have had more than their share of luck.
I expect the slide to last place to begin any day now, if it hasn't already.

Whoever wrote this is an idiot and obviously a Red Sox fan, because they're destined to fall off the tracks anytime now.

Maybe you could also point out the Braves starters that are underachieving. Hudson probably won't have a sub-2.00 ERA this year but Smoltz will probably not have one higher than 4 either. Add in to their record the 3 games Wickman screwed up because of injury and they would have a couple game lead on the Mets. Speaking of the little sister new york team... how about them being one of the overachievers. Their rotation is full of holes and, other than Wagner, they really aren't that stacked in the pen. Way to get paid for writing senseless dribble.

As a Mets fan, I have to disagree with your view on the Braves. Chipper Jones is a excellent hitter, hes a complete danger to Mets pitchers. Their a team that got better, Wickman went down but thats not a biggy. The record so far between the Mets and Braves is 4-2 I believe braves winning both series. The Mets biggest weakness is not their aging pitchers or bench players. Its their youth. At any moment, Maine and Perez might just slump. Wright just started hitting great like his first half of last year. Our bullpen really needs help, dont let their early ERA full you. The Mets are great, their good enough to win the East. But the Braves are just as good to beat the Mets.

Braves fans are idiots. Your time is over. Face it 15 years, 1 WS title. All-time chokers. The Mets will win the division again, and go on to take the Series. LET'S GO METS!

Indians have a few luxuries that any other MLB team would envy:

Legitimate ace- C.C. Sabathia,lifetime ERA 3.44 and dropping, Closer with 10 saves in 11 opportunities (high scoring games, so no #%$* about the other team couldn't hit), a lead-off hitter AND a clean-up hitter who are in the top three in OBS and walks, a #5 hitter with a .300 average, and best of all a 6 man rotaion should any of the top five get injured - Fausto Caromona fills in for Lee - minors, now will fill in for Westbrook.
This is a HUGE improvement from last year.

Predicting the O's would slide outta 2nd place? Wow, you must be MLB's Nostradamos! Idiot.

Another slam on the Indians. I believe 11 games ago, everyone had slated them for dead with a measly 7-7 record. I guess the fairy godmother reared her ugly head and caused them to go a magical 10-1. But as always, winning 10 out of 11 is always a fluke in Cleveland. And as far as the teams they have played, they are "supposed" to win those right?? Haven't they won all of their series except for the Yankees?? Can you honestly say that the Yankees won't be there at the end?? Ahhhh, living in Cleveland...what an adventure!!

The writer of this article must be a Mets fan!

Decrying the Tribe for losing to the Yankees and having (yet) to face the Tigers holds little water. The Indians are 6-2 against divisional opponents and have won 9 out of 10 series. No other team in baseball has had that kind of success.

Are you related to Jimmy Rollins? You must be the Sportswriter to beat this year. The Braves are on track and they will have a very good season. As for your predictions - Are you the guy that predicted Vanderbilt would win football in the SEC this football season?

Since neither one of the New York teams is leading a division the writers must find someway to pass there time, enter the article about overachievers. It gives the Mets and Yankees some way to think there time in the sun is moments away.

Can you tell that CNN has moved to New York? A. Rod and Jeter cant burp without a story going to the headlines.

This guy makes a living peddling this drivel?

Suggestion: Buy a bar of soap and go sell some shoes...

The Tribe has won series with Toronto, LAA, Minn and the White Sox. What do you want from them? They play KC 19 times yet! Sizemore isn't hitting, Lee is coming back from injury and they missed 4 games at home because of snow. things are only getting better.

The Tribe has mediocre pythagoreans, huh? Well, there are several players who might be expected to improve their numbers - Hafner will obviously hit more homers; Sizemore will get more hits and probably more HRs, Garko's power and run-producing will improve; Marte and Blake cannot possibly be that bad; Delluci should be more productive. As for Barfield, he's jacked his avg. up app. 60 pts in the last week or so.That should at least improve the runs scored side of the equation. Also,the patience level among their hitters has noticeably improved; they've chased some opponent starters who were pitching well, just on the basis of pitch count. The bullpen looks good, if you take out Borowski's one horrific outing against NY, and the starting is solid to good and very deep. And did you actually expect Carmona would be pitching this well? Cabrera may not be overperforming in light of the general evilness of his stuff and Betancourt has had very good stretches in the past. I'll say 97 w's is more like it. Detroit is good , but many of you writers have crowned them as perennials on the basis of one season, the way you did with Chicago last year. Good pitching but their lineup will produce less runs over the year, even with the addition of the aging (and brittle) Sheffield. Minnesota
scares me more than the Tigers in the Piranha Tank Div. Boston, we'll see. Power pitchers - and the Indians hit fastballers well. Ask Toronto. NY? - Everybody's entitled to one stinko series, and that is the only one the Tribe has had all year. Slight dropoff (from .680)probably; slide, no way.

Braves are finished when the season ends it will be the mets that are in first place and not the Braves. The slide is coming soon after the Dodgers sweep them this weekend.

I hope you don't drive looking totally in the rear view mirror! the game is great because of what's happening NOW not last year or guessing what will happen.

get ready for a .500 pirate team with three great lefties and an emerging bullpen that is nails in the coffin. yep, the offense is not the yankees, but the pitching is much better. try and look for emerging talent and not overachievemnt based on the past.

now bonds...he is over his head, but we know why.

The Pythagorean win/loss is an absolutely worthless measure. Three game series you win game 1 15-3, then lose the next two by 1 run each. Should it figure you should be 2-1, instead of 1-2. The Indians were terrible in close games last year, bullpen issues, no timely hitting, managing issues. This year 9-2 in 1 run games. The talent has been there, you can see it in the way they play they expect to win these close games now.

If the Indians were not where they are now, you guys would say they were underachieving. Of course the Tribe most likely will not win 110 games, but they lead the Central division and it is what it is, quit slamming Cleveland, it's old. You're probably the same writer who slammed the Tigers last year at this time, when they were off to that great start, and then they won the ALCS. Great teams find a way to win, sometimes it's ugly, but they find a way. The Cardinals were hardly over .500 last year and they are the defending world champs. That is the beauty of the game. Quit using stats to try and overanalyze everything, A-Rod is on pace for about 837 home runs this season if you go by that. As for division rivals, the Tribe faced Minnesota and Chicago and they took the series, what more could you honestly ask for? Also, have you seen what they have gone through with the this April? They got screwed by they umpiring in game 1 of the Seattle series (Hargrove basically stopped the game in the middle of Byrd's no hitter while he was down 4), They had an entire home series moved to Milwaukee, and they got burned by bad umpiring again this past week (the umps admitted to screwing up and apparently don't know basic MLB rules). It will only get better for the Tribe this season.

I don't get it.
Both the Braves and the Indians were picked by many "experts" and fans to make the playoffs last year. No, seriously, check it out. The same story this year as well. The Braves especially fortified their one glaring weakness from last year - the bullpen. Why in the world would young players who have had a few years of major league experience and were expected to show some improvement (Franchy, McCann, KJ) regress? Sure, it can happen, but this is such a wild guess, mainly because it would cause the team great problems if it happened to all of them at the same time. Now, you cannot predict bad luck. So, please, my dear mrs Met, don't go wishing bad luck on my Braves...

I think his remarks on the braves were fair, Mccann will probably hit a little better as well Jones. But he's just pointing out some of the players are overachieving which is valid. Francour is also on the list I think. The pen will probably improve. but overall the trend is probably calling for them to fall off a bit.

Go ahead and write us off (the Braves) we love it, we thrive off it.

To that Mets fan who said... All time chokers: I'd rather have 14 winning seasons and choke in the playoffs than to have 15-20 or so years of not even making the playoffs like the Mets.

When was the last time you won? 1986? Last time i checked that was over 20 years ago.

GO BRAVES

...who the hell is Cliff Corcoran?

Seriously, that's alot of Braves bashing, without actually providing any reason for this apparently destined declined. Won't be surprised if Tim Hudson shares a stint on the DL with Chipper Jones? There's a fine line between informed predictions and biased wishful thinking, and you, sir, have crossed it.

Cliff apparently feels that a crash by the Braves is inevitable because, well, he just doesn't like them very much. I may at least give you the distinction of joining a fine line of other raving jackasses who made the same wishful prognostications from about 1995 to 2005. Cheers to you!

The M's arent over achieving they are actually under achieving! Sexton is hitting terribly and ichiro is just starting to get hot! Once King Felix gets back he will win atleast 15 games this year, and they pitching is much better than in previous years! The M's are a team that thrives on hitting and maufacturing runs and with their ballpark they have to! The M's will win 90 games this year and we shall see if it is enough to win the west in a down year for most teams, which the Mariners plan to take advantage of!

Being the only Mariners fan on this blog I would like to say that your predictions for the team are probably right...but I hate you for saying it anyway.

Everybody thinks Chipper will get hurt again but i think he is out to prove is a great player and will keep up his play.

And from being from Wisconsin the Brewers are not going to flop, they probably only need to win 85 games because the divison is terrible.

Worthless article. The Braves will keep up this pace and Andruw hasn't started to hit yet.

i love it when the great predictors are idiots. florida had no chance to win the college title in football.just keep predictiing and 90 percent always wrong.you almost sound as ridiculous as dr z predicting what time he will use the bathroom.the yankees have proven over the years why those with money cant find the chemistry like atlanta can.keep writing the braves cant do it. go ahead, the foot is always in your mouth so get some breath mints.

I actually agree that the Braves will see a decline in their offensive numbers. They're on a torrid pace right now, and it's not likely to continue at this level all season.

What I take exception to, however, is that there aren't any players that will improve. I'm not sure what's wrong with Kyle Davies, but I think he's a much better pitcher than what we've seen so far. There's also the whole Mark Redman thing. I have a feeling that Redman will be canned when Cormier comes off the DL, which will be a nice shot in the arm to the Braves rotation. And hopefully Wickman can return to form after some rest. Let's recall that the Braves would have a two game lead in the East if the big guy hadn't fallen to fatigue and injury.

Even so, it will be difficult for the Braves to keep pace with the Mets this season. But that doesn't have to mean that they'll fall out of contention.

Braves fans, this year is already great! We've whooped Mets and Phillies tail and have lost 1 series out of 6 (or so) I def. think we'll make the playoffs (i am inclined to think wildcard), and if we do....oh boy! I know we'll have ups and down, but we have a team that does not rely on one player. Love the team this year.

BTW, i love how all us Braves fans are the ones supporting our team on this (NY) blog.

GO BRAVES!!!!

I especially love how everyone hates the Braves, and I seem to remember every season from '99-'04 the standard battle cry from around baseball nation-wide baseball reporting was, "This is finally the Braves' downfall season, there is no way they can when it this year." We all see how that turned out. Braves are going to win 90-105 games. I'm not saying anything about the playoffs, but they WILL win the NL East and the Mets WILL win the NL Wild-card, thus proving the NL East is the best in the MLB.

I just laugh at these people who doubt the Braves......I worked in the travel dept. for 3 different mlb teams over the course of the last 4 seasons and I can tell you right now players circle Atlanta on their calanders. When the Braves came to town or we headed to Atlanta, the games were treated as a bigger deal. That organization is a measuring stick for EVERY OTHER TEAM in the game. Anyone who can say these kinds of things about Atlanta given their track record is either looking to stir up an argument or they just don't know the game.

I love how the New York media just loved it when the Braves were the underdogs beating all of the other teams in the leauge, including the Mets, until they took 4 of 5 from the said Mets. Too bad that the Braves actually have the pitching this year to win the division, whereas the Mets have no rotation, the Phillies have no bullpen, and the Marlins have no hitting. I guess we'll just have to laugh in September when the Braves are heading to the postseason again and the Mets will be at home wondering why they didn't make it yet again.

This entire blog is a bunch of nonsense. Why don't you stop trying to predict the future and just wait and see if these teams will slide before you bash them.

The Braves are overachieving? I'm surprised the Mets rotation isn't on this list. Oh wait. I forgot. Oliver Perez is the next Cy Young. Or maybe Chan Ho, no wait he was sent back to the minors. I know... Jorge Sosa. That guy is the answer. Or maybe it's the strength of El Disabled. He's a solid bet for continued success. And Maine. That isn't overacheiving. He's a shoe-in for the first Maddux-esque season in over 10 years.
Listen, there is overachieving on the Braves. There is under achieving on the Braves. It occurs on all teams. Streaks, slumps, it all part of baseball. To think one can predict that all the slumps come at the same time is a little over board. I didn't see an SI article predicting the Yankee's Hammy problems. Does that mean it didn't happen? By the way, what is it now, 10 starters for the Yanks?
The Braves are winning again. They'll give the Mets a run for the money. They could actually pull it out and take the division, after all, the Braves have already taken 4 of 6 from the Mets.
As for Chipper on the DL, doubt it will happen. He isn't Carl Pavano. Last season he took a major hit with the flu to start the year, then jacked his leg up on the terrible field in Frisco (Check the video on that... it was Noah's flood that day and to fix the field they used a steam roller. Both teams were fortunate to get out of there alive.) From there his mechanics were altered and he strained an oblique. He'll be fine this season. He's on an MVP pace and by seasons end you'll have no choice but to vote for him.
And, please note, the weakest link in the Braves rotation is now on the DL. Praise the Lord. Mark "The Tee" Redman no longer has a mound to sit on. The most worthless pitcher in the NL is out of the game for at least 15 days. That guy couldn't even get his neighbor out when he pitched in his basement.
It'll be a tough race for the Braves. For the Mets. For all the real teams in the East. So far all four NL East teams have proven to be quite powerful offensive teams.

Who was that idiot who said the Braves' slump will come when the Dodgers sweep them this weekend? Haha . . . what a dork.

Have you looked at the Brewers farm system? They will easily be able to get whatever they need at the trading deadline. And just wait until Ryan Braun gets called up. The offense will be unstoppable. Who cares if the Brewers only had 75 wins last season. They didn't have anyone healthy last year so their record was very misleading.

Are you sure the Braves that you are referring to aren't the the 7 Year Old Sawnee Mountain Park Atlanta Braves? This article was such a waste of time, poorly written, and obviously given to the wrong person to write. Maybe you should continue to 'pinch-hit' because you're definitely not ready for a spot in the starting line up.

You must be a New York fan. So go New York, and take this idiot with you!

Hey Cliff, Did you work in the Mets clubhouse too?

HAh did anyone read the idot who said that under some inprobable circumstances the Braves would have ( and I quote) "walted into the playoffs" HAHAHA.... The records between the Braves and the Mets are equal, and the braves are playing above expectations and the Mets below (can you believe that 18-10 and still not on all cylinders. Braves have one place to go and that is down. Whoever wrote this column should get a pulitzer!!!!

I guess they will let anyone write an article here, but you would think that bias bs would not be allowed and THAT SEEMS TO BE WHAT IS REQUIRED HERE. You must be a ny mets fan to blast the braves so badly and that shows bias bs at it's worst. The top of the lineup for the braves is the best in baseball and you just tryed to blast it all out of the water. If A. Jones ever gets his brains together about hitting he just might be able to stept it up too and the mets will fade into the distance!!

the indians were going to the playoffs this year going into spring training.they are winning with good players,and thankfully do pay attention to writers who are more for the money market teams.look at the money they spend to win and looking to NY cant win.do more research before you say a team will fall.they are solid top to bottom with players that are down to earth...

As a Braves' fan this blog makes me sick. Ho hum... The Braves won 14 straight division titles. That streak was bound to come to an end. Now with Chipper and Francouer tearing it up. Andruw will come around, McCann will be great. This whole lineup could potentionally be All Stars. They will contend this year, playoffs are not out of the question. And have you watched the Brewers at all? Or, are you going on past history. This team is young, and exciting to watch. They will be in it for the long haul. I love it when teams dont have to spend a lot and are able to win.

This guy is a freak show...You can't be serious about the Braves...Have you even watched them play this year? I hope you saw them take 2 series already from your Mets! They have lost 1 series ALL YEAR. I love it when people hate on the Braves...makes the ride so much sweeter. You really need to find another career Cliff...too funny!

You are a complete moron, and your assesment of Kelly Johnson is completely offbase. Have you even watched the guy hit? Probably not, based on your idiotic assesment. The guy has GREAT plate discipline, and if he doesn't get a hit he usually draws a walk. Kelly Johnson always has a good at-bat, and the braves a legit leadoff hitter with him. All you dumbasses in the media thought the Braves weren't going to do anything when the season started, and now that they're doing what all their fans expected them to do y'all just won't admit that you were wrong. They have one of the most potent lineups in the NL, they ranked 2nd in runs scored and 1st in homeruns last year too, so I don't see how their offensive production is such a f***ing shock to you, they have a strong rotation, and a lights out bullpen (even without Bob Wickman we have guys who can close out games for us). I hope you have a good apology ready and are willing to admit how wrong you were when the Braves get another NL East division banner this year, numbskull.

I expect this comment from someone who worked from ESPN but this site usually keeps it a little classier, to top it off the comments that were posted have been much better than the actual article.

The Brewers aren't going to win over 100 games, they just might run away with the NL central. They've lost only one series this year, with their 1, 3, and 4 hitters underachieving. The main hole on the team, the third base platoon, is going to be a non-issue soon enough with Ryan Braun being called up, and i dont see this team sliding.

It's official--Braves fans are the whiniest in baseball. It's just an article saying they could slide. You're still in first place. It's OK. You still could make the playoffs and get swept in the first round (in a half-empty stadium no less). Get off the internet, go to Turner and maybe your team will actually re-sign Andruw Jones. And while I'm at it, the Chop sucks.

Could someone please fire this guy? Are you serious? Are you an intern or what? Maybe you just aren't a baseball writer, do you work for the figure skating department and wanted to branch out a little bit? You obviously have no idea what you are talking about.

The Brewers are on fire and are playing in the worst division in baseball. As for the my team the Braves? Other than the fact that McCann and Andruw haven't even started to get hot yet, the Braves are doing the most important thing a team can do, finding ways to win. They are never out of a game. But of course how could you have known that, it isn't like you did any research for this article. You are an idiot, this is the dumbest article I have ever read, get a new job moron.

writer must not of read article about brewers 19-10 record. of course yankess are not in the article, because they have been slideing all year. si.com is so yankee biased just change the name to nyysi.com.

another hack blogger..you know nothing about baseball.

Hmmm. A bit self righteous are we? The griping about the O's was not that they would fall (a guarantee) but that you ripped them for precisely the reasons you found praise for the Red Sox.

How you, Mr. Corcoran, managed to get a job typing up wanton comments on baseball teams and posting them on the internet for people to look at is totally amazing. I would call you an idiot, but I wouldn't want to insult any of the idiots who took time out of their lives to glance at your "article", idiots like myself.

Since no one is defending the Pirates, I will. A realistic goal for the Bucs this year is about where they are; at or about 500.

Consider that LaRoche is not hitting like he should, Paulino should hit around .300 and several others are a bit down, they offense is due to improve (notice I didnt say be good, just improve).

Pitching wise, Snell and Gorzelany are doing well, Maholm and Duke are pitching a bit below their level and our bullpen is among the best.

We have a shot at mediocrity.

I picked the braves to win their division and possibly the national pennant because of their bullpen acquisitions.

Noone here in Houston thinks that can happen.

Management has been bridled with the budget and have performed.

As a diehard mets fan, I must admit that the Braves will be there all year but in the end, the Mets will edge out the Braves by 7.5 games. My reasoning is this: At the trade deadline, the Mets have the financial capabilities to add an all-star callibar player, whereas the Braves cant afford shoe laces. Bottom line to all Braves fans is enjoy this ride now, because you all KNOW that Andruw Jones will NOT be back next year and it is because no one goes to the ballpark to see the Bravos play. So dont b***h when Andruw goes to Boston or to the Angels. The mets will get Ichiro (there are a lot of rumors goin around) He would be the perfect two hitter for us. It would not make sense for the Ms not to deal him because 1. he is a free agent next year 2. They will not compete in their division race(oak and laa are too strong) and 3. even if they tried to resign him, he wants to win. Plus you know Omar wants to tap in to the Japenese market(he posted 39.9 million for Dice-K). Plus all the marketing with the new ballpark it would be a perfect match. If we dont get him listen for names like Zambrano or Willis. So my reasoning for the mets victory in the NL East again is that this is not going to be the same team come Aug 1. We will be improved and practicly unstoppable, even if the Braves keep it up. So enjoy the sucess now Brave's fans cause with a. jones gone next year and smoltz and larry jones not getting younger it is going to be a long time before the braves add another divisions title. I have one question for you brave fans on this blog: You say you won 14 consecutive division titles right? How many WS titles have you won? SO step aside and let a real team compete and get used to looking up because the mets have not yet begun to defile you guys.

Thanks for continuing the anti-Brewer media bias. 3 days ago, John Kruk predicted that the Pirates would be in first place in the NL Central by the end of May. 2 days ago, I suffered through 15 minutes of ESPN to listen to drivel about the injury to Yankees' pitcher Phil Hughes, only to have 15 seconds on the Brewers and the best record in baseball. That's fine with me. The bandwagon will have room on it in August.

Why so touchy Braves fans? You all seem to have major insecurity complexes. Someone thinks the Braves will fall off, so there has to be a conspiracy/NYC bias. Atlanta definitely has talent, but it's hard to take any team seriously when Bob Wickman is their closer. He's not a closer on a true World Series contender.

you should never write again. your one of those guys who watches a little baseball and you think you're a knower of all things. please go sell crack and make yourself more useful.

SI is on a roll. Actually TWO stories on featured stories on the Orioles today. Something besides the usual Yankee drivel. In truth, the slide will become permanent with the loss of Loewen. Their young starters and revamped bullpen were the features that would help them avoid 4th place again. Hello Tampa Bay!

Are you guys hiring ? It appears you have a need for someone who actually understands the game of baseball.
The Braves are real, the Mets are real, the Mets and Braves will go at it until the end. The Phillies and Fish will both hang around all year to make this the most intrresting diivision in baseball.
The Brewers are real and will win their division. Pinella and the Cubs will make it intresting there also.
I won't ramble on why because I see real baseball fans here that already know why. You insult them with your lack of intelligence.
I am a proud Braves fan..

Your insight into the game of baseball concerning the Braves sounds like it came from someone who took a hard blow to the head. Did you consider that Andruw Jones hasn't even got going. Scott Torman is just starting to hit and Kelly Johnson took two weeks before he was hitting over.200 . Lets not to mention the Braves have the best bullpen in baseball. I fully expect this will be a yearlong battle between the Braves/Mets. The Phillies and Fish will hang around and make this the most intresting division in baseball.
Oh yeah , the Brewers are for reall too..

The Braves will fade... period. It's not the same old NL East for them to control. The Mets are too strong to keep up with over the long haul. Already the Mets are hit with their senior citizens going down like Pedro, El Duque, Alou and Valentin, but the Mets have quality depth up the ying-yang. The Braves are playing over their heads to just keep up with the Mets. Good for them, but it can't last. They will soften like a peach in the oven.

What a tool the writer is...I love all the remarks from the Brave nation. I am an Astros fan, and hated the Braves for many years, but they will do good this year. I also like the Pirates as well, but the first baseman needs some