Sports

Oddsmaker says Braves' win total will be 'low 70s' -- what say you?

Evan Gattis is one of three everyday players lost from Braves' everyday lineup. (Curtis Compton, AJC)
Evan Gattis is one of three everyday players lost from Braves' everyday lineup. (Curtis Compton, AJC)
By Jeff Schultz
Jan 16, 2015

The Braves finished 29th in the majors last season with 573 runs (3.5 per game), and scored none or one or 41 times (25 percent of their games). So the fact they've traded three of the players (Justin Upton, Jason Heyward, Evan Gattis) who produced most of what little offense they had has led to predictably dire projections.

I spoke to team president John Hart Thursday, who said he feared that, "This club could’ve slipped into the abyss," if changes were not made. So he and assistant general manager John Coppolella have focused on changing the makeup of the team and switching from a home-run-or-strikeout, all-or-nothing approach to one with more contact hitters -- all of which sounds great if the roster is loaded with proven hitters.

Coppolella, the GM of the future and somewhat even today, is an interesting guy with a fascinating background. To read the full column on him, click this link.

I understand the Braves' approach for the long term. But I don't share Hart's and Coppolella's optimism for the short term. Las Vegas sportsbooks are probably a month away from coming out with official over/under win projections for each major league team, but I decided I couldn't wait that long. So I contacted pal Todd Fuhrman, the former oddsmaker at Caesars Palace who now works for Fox Sports.

His projection for the Braves: a win total in the "low 70s."

"Braves fans looking for big things this year might want to temper thos‎e expectations," he said. "Expect their win total to open in the low 70's with so many fresh faces being called on to produce. If the pitching doesn't hold up there will be major issues given an offense laden with more questions than answers."

That's what he thinks. What do you think?

You can comment below and/or vote in a poll. There is a chance the Braves will make at least one more move for a left fielder. But based on what you see now, how many games do you believe this team will win?

A recent writer's dozen from the digital jukebox

-- MyAJC: Braves' moves carry Coppolella's fingerprints
-- AJC: There goes Evan Gattis as Braves take another big hit
-- AJC: Quinn was tabbed as 'Next Great Coach' but can Falcons get him?
-- AJC: UPDATE: Bowles goes to Jets but if Falcons get Quinn it won't matter
-- AJC: Falcons should talk to John Fox before making decision on Quinn, Bowles
-- AJC: Rex Ryan going to Buffalo -- and that's not bad news for Falcons
-- AJC: Nick Saban, the mercenary, takes on ex-Bulldog Jonathan Taylor
-- MyAJC: Falcons' backdrop not comforting for coaching search
-- AJC: Falcons' changes: Pioli's role increases, so what does this mean for Dimitroff?
-- AJC: How's this scenario: Falcons vs. Giants and Mike Smith's defense in 2015?
-- MyAJC: Smoltz just wanted to survive, but he did so much more
-- AJC John Smoltz, a Hall of Famer on many levels, gets the call
-- AJC: Hall of Fame: Smoltz, 7 others checked on my ballot
-- AJC: ROSE BOWL: Oregon mocks FSU, Winston with "No means No" chant
-- MyAJC: ROSE BOWL: After 29 straight wins, Florida State morphs into grease fire
-- MyAJC: ROSE BOWL: Is FSU most hated great team in college history?
-- AJC: ROSE BOWL: Oregon's Helfrich credits Falcons' Koetter for his success
-- MyAJC: ROSE BOWL: Will Jameis Winston prove to be worth risk in NFL?
-- MyAJC: It's Arthur Blank's show now, and that could be a problem?
-- AJC: Falcons fire Smith, keep Dimitroff, and here are some candidates
-- MyAJC: Falcons are done and so is Mike Smith

About the Author

Jeff Schultz

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