America basketball heros talks about the Braves rotation and lineup as well as the revisions to MLB rules.

America basketball heros talks about the Braves rotation and lineup as well as the revisions to MLB rules.

John Smoltz, a Braves great and Baseball Hall of Famer, spoke with Braves Today on a variety of topics.

Exclusive: John Smoltz talks about the Braves rotation, starting lineup, and the adjustments to MLB rules.
John Smoltz, a Braves great and Baseball Hall of Famer, spoke with Braves Today on a variety of topics.
STAFF BRAVES TODAY17 JAN 2024, 1:02 PM EST
Braves Today has a podcast, in case you haven’t heard.

The lineup is also fairly amazing, featuring former pitchers Jonny Venters and Eric O’Flaherty, radio host Ben Ingram today, and Braves veteran Tom Glavine in addition to Bally Sports reporter Kelly Crull.

Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher and Braves icon John Smoltz joins managing editor Lindsay Crosby in the most recent episode to talk about the Atlanta Braves lineup and rotation, as well as his thoughts on voting for the Hall of Fame, changes to MLB rules, and his second career as a semi-professional golfer.

The interview is available to view on our YouTube channel or below. Additionally, the audio-only Braves Today Podcast can be found wherever you get your podcasts.

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The predictions made by Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider for 2024 are ridiculous.

It is not surprising that the various projection systems have a strong affinity for the Atlanta Braves. The Braves have star power on both sides of the ball and are coming off consecutive seasons with 100 or more wins. A team that posts those types of numbers can be sure that the data will indicate favourable things to come.

Still, even by those high expectations, a few Braves players are expected to have crazy 2024 campaigns. Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider are among the players that stand out on David Adler’s list of the league’s most intriguing forecasts, which was created by Fangraphs. Adler is an MLB.com staff writer.

Top players at their positions in 2024 will be Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna Jr.

It’s common knowledge at this time that Ronald Acuna Jr.’s abilities are virtually limitless. When he became the first player to ever have a 40/70 season the previous season, he founded his own club, and nobody should be shocked if he repeats history in 2024. So even the somewhat conservative projection systems seem to think so. Ronald is predicted by Adler to be the most valuable player in baseball by WAR, coming in at 7.3, and may perhaps win the Triple Crown.

It’s not just Ronald who feels cherished by the numbers. Though Strider appeared to have been denied a spot in the NL Cy Young finals last season, if his predictions come to pass, he ought to enjoy greater success in 2024. Strider, with a 3.18 ERA, 15 wins, and 257 strikeouts, is predicted to win the Triple Crown in pitching. Although it seems impossible to lead the league in all three categories—ERA being the most likely obstacle—Strider’s high regard among observers is a testament to his ability on the mound, so it wouldn’t be all that strange if he exceeded these expectations.

It’s not just Ronald who feels cherished by the numbers. Though Strider appeared to have been denied a spot in the NL Cy Young finals last season, if his predictions come to pass, he ought to enjoy greater success in 2024. Strider, with a 3.18 ERA, 15 wins, and 257 strikeouts, is predicted to win the Triple Crown in pitching. Although it seems impossible to lead the league in all three categories—ERA being the most likely obstacle—Strider’s high regard among observers is a testament to his ability on the mound, so it wouldn’t be all that strange if he exceeded these expectations.

Ultimately, games are played on the pitch, and most of the time, making projections is just an enjoyable mental exercise. But, Strider and Acuna Jr. might be set up for big seasons in 2024 if they continue to play well this season.