Season Preview: Part 1

Yay, it's baseball season. But what do we have?

Starting Rotation

Tim Hudson "Old Reliable"
Huddy set a new Atlanta-best with 17 wins and a 2.83 ERA in a bounce-back year after injuries kept him out of most of 2010. However, at 35, a little concerned about his ability to pitch effectively through the 2014 season.

Tommy Hanson "The guy whose untapped potential makes me quiver"
Yes, Hanson went 10-11 last year. He was very solid, though, with a WHIP of 1.17. And in a shade over 200 innings, he only allowed 14 long balls. Could be one of the early favorites for Cy Young votes.

Jair Jurrjens "The Tigers are the team that just keeps giving"
Sure, 7-6 and a 4.64 ERA is hardly a way to follow 14-10 and 2.60, but injuries played their part. Hoping for big things.

Derek Lowe "The Overpaid Veteran Presence"
Owed $30M over the next two years, my hope is that Lowe has a good enough year that a team will send a prospect or a plate of awesome nachos for him.

Brandon Beachy "The Guy Who Looks Kinda Stoned"
Beachy was a ho-hum prospect who exploded last year and looks to hold down the fifth spot, but has some stiff competition from young hurlers like Julio Teheran and Mike Minor.

The Bullpen

Scott Linebrink "Another Veteran Presence"
I hate guys who stick around cause they stick around so they stick around. Should log a lot of low-leverage innings, but if that becomes worrisome, will get kicked to the curb.

Cristhian Martinez "The Guy Whose Name Screws With My Sense of Grammar"
The long guy who will see blow out action mainly.

Peter Moylan "Goggles Galore"
The Aussie posted his worst ERA since his first taste of the majors back in '06. He will look to improve upon that disappointing 2.97 year.

Eric O'Flaherty "Damn Irish"
In two seasons, O'Flaherty has shown that he can handle lefties with relative ease. Will look to lock down the 7th with Moylan.

George Sherrill "The LOOGY"
Can't get any worse than he was last year. Can get fatter, though.

Jonny Venters "Being a failed prospect isn't all that bad"
Should continue his ascension to the elite relievers in baseball as long as he is healthy. Would be closing if not for...

Craig Kimbrel "The reason the word 'filthy' was invented"
Has one save. Needs just 153 more to break the Atlanta record. It is his destiny.