Braves season preview: Optimism may meet reality

Mark Bradley: Ballpark is ready, team isn’t quite

Credit the Braves for knowing who and where they are. Their rebuild isn't so far along that trading for star pitcher Chris Sale would have made them a surefire winner, but trading for Sale would surely have wrecked that rebuild. As much as we on the periphery might wish they'd Get On With It,John  Coppolella and John Hart are too smart to get ahead of themselves. The end is not yet in sight. And that's where we as an audience must be prepared to exercise restraint. SunTrust Park is ready. Ronald Acuna and Kolby Allard and Ian Anderson and Kevin Maitan are not. Read more here. 

Jeff Schultz: Promising pitching is still unproven

The Braves are ready to open season No. 3 since their rebuild. They are oozing with optimism, as they should be in April. But there's a reason why, amid all of this local optimism, the Las Vegas wiseguys have set the Braves' over/under win total at 71.5, which equates to another 90-loss season. Pitching. It has been at the center of the organization's rebuilding efforts, but the young arms aren't ready yet. Read more here. 

Inciarte in the center of Braves rebuild

Word is getting around on the good work the 26-year-old Ender Inciarte is performing, even for a victory-challenged outfit like the Braves. When he arrived a season ago in the practically felonious trade with Arizona that also included Dansby Swanson and Aaron Blair for Shelby Miller, some had their suspicions he was pretty good afield. And now his bat is coming around too. Read more about Inciarte.

Braves expect to have better lineup

If the Braves enjoy any of the blessings of good health, they expect a good deal more stability throughout the lineup than in the recent past. By the close of 2016, a calm came over the volatile lineup. Center fielder Ender Inciarte established himself as a reliable leadoff man. Matt Kemp put down roots behind Freddie Freeman in the cleanup spot, allowing Nick Markakis, not the typical power-hitting cleanup guy, to settle in fifth in the order. And shortstop Dansby Swanson hit .302 in 38 games. Read more. 

Braves GM: Team better, will be special soon

The AJC's David O'Brien sat down with John Coppolella in the final week of spring training to discuss the state of the Braves. Read what the general manager says.

Braves vow to fix SunTrust glitches  

The Braves' exhibition game Friday night at the new SunTrust Park exposed a few stadium glitches that team officials vow to correct before the regular-season home opener April 14. Read more.