The Armstrong Files

Phew! Finally, ...basketball is coming to a close and now is the time we can start talking about real sports!! The Braves have, at Time Warners insistance, dropped 20 million from their payroll this year and GM John Schuerholz has still managed to put together a stellar lineup.

Well, I must admit it will be a bit more challenging than in years past. Philadelphia has made some good off-season acquisitions and will have a new ballpark to play in and most consider them the runaway favorites to take the division hold from the Braves for the first time in over a decade. I dont give it much credence though, after all they still play for Larry Bowa.

And of course we cant forget last years World Series Champions....the Florida Marlins. Yes, Pudge is no longer a fish but has moved up the food chain and is now a Tiger (?) but the Marlins still have very strong and very young pitching.

Very young. Yes, that is what is overlooked in most doom and gloom articles written about the Braves in most sports publications. Their entire starting infield is under the age of 30 and Chipper Jones is the only outfielder older than 30. We have beefed up our bullpen recently mainly with the addition of Cruz who, hopefully with Mazzone's help, can regain some his control. It will be nice to have a 96 MPH dart thrower coming in before Sure Thing Smoltz, ...sure thing when healthy.

All in all, I think its going to be a close divisional race this year. The Braves will not win 100 games this time but I believe they will continue their streak of divisional championships. Phillies will finish 2nd with the Marlins 3-6 games behind them.....so says Suami.