Fansided

Here’s how every MLB team will finish in 2018

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 28: Manny Machado
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 28: Manny Machado /
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TAMPA, FL – MARCH 02: Atlanta Braves center fielder Ronald Acuna (82) hits a home run during the MLB Spring training game between the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees on March 02, 2018 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by /Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – MARCH 02: Atlanta Braves center fielder Ronald Acuna (82) hits a home run during the MLB Spring training game between the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees on March 02, 2018 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by /Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves: 74.5 wins

  • Baseball Prospectus:76 wins
  • FanGraphs: 72 wins

The rebuilding Braves were actually at the .500 mark as late as July 16 last year before the wheels fell off in the second half and they finished 72-90. The final record wasn’t pretty, but the Braves are pointed in the right direction. With one of the best lineups in the NL East led by Freddie Freeman and the up-and-coming core of Ender Inciarte, Ozzie Albies and Dansby Swanson, Atlanta has what it takes to put up five or six runs a night.

The only problem is that the pitching has yet to catch up with the offense, and might continue to struggle in hitter-friendly SunTrust Park. The Braves have hung their rebuilding hopes on a handful of young pitching prospects, but the results have not come at the MLB level just yet. Lefty Sean Newcomb flashed potential last season, but was still up and down.

The Braves will feature an even more potent offense in 2018 if Swanson can continue maturing as a hitter after an inconsistent 2017. The arrival of top prospect Ronald Acuna will come at some point in April or May depending on service-time concerns. He looks polished and ready to have an immediate impact in the big leagues.

Conclusion: It’s still a smart bet to take the under on the Braves win total in 2018. The Philadelphia Phillies have jumped ahead in their rebuild, and will eat into the available wins for the Braves.

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