Opening Day: Braves at Dodgers Preview

Another season begins. It doesn't seem that long ago we were watching the White Sox win the series but today is another day; a holiday of sorts, it's Opening Day in the world of baseball. Yippie!! Atlanta begins there 2006 season out West against the L.A. Dodgers before heading to the Bay in San Fran. If you've been keeping up with Atlanta this offseason you know of all the changes the team has been through. The Dodgers have also made changes. L.A. looks a little more mature this year. In the offseason they scooped up veterans like Bill Mueller, Nomar, and Furcal to the infield while Kenny Lofton, and Jose Cruz Jr. are new faces in the OF. I like thier infield (Mueller, Furcal, Kent, Nomar), but their OF will be questionable. Already health concerns are circling around the dugout. Kenny Lofton will begin the year on the DL and J.D. Drew is not 100%. The combination of Jayson Werth, Ricky Ledee, and Cruz Jr. will have to step up for the Dodgers to compete. Their pitching staff greatly dissapointed last year and of course is expected to vastly improve this year. Lowe will remain the #1 ace for the Dodger Blue. Who's comes after Lowe? Odalis Perez, Brad Penny, Jae Seo, and Brett Tomko round out the rotation. I think Seo will be a good pickup from the Mets. The bullpen is hoping Eric Gagne turns back to old form. If not, the contingency plan lies with highly wanted Danys Baez. Baez was inquired by just about everyone that needed a closer this offseason including the Braves. He will begin as the setup man for Gagne. Yhency Brazoben is another name to remember. Brazoben stood strong last year as Gagne's season was cut short. I predict the Dodgers will finish second in the division behind the Padres, if injuries plague the team too often they'll drop to third.

Today's game will air on ESPN at 4:10ET. Hudson vs. Lowe.