2009 MLB season in review: Atlanta Braves

While the Atlanta Braves missed the National League wild card by six full games that is not a real indication of how good of a season they had. It seems no matter who they have on the roster this team just knows how to win. Granted they were a better road team than a home one, but who can argue with results. It seems in the end the Braves were on big bat away from making a serious run at a playoff spot and regardless of who is in their starting five, their starters can go out there and get it done.

Their final record was 86-76, and that was good enough for third in the National League East. They spent six days in first place and built a half game lead early on. By September they were a full nine games back, and rallied over the final weeks of the season to have an outside shot at a Wild Card birth.

In the end it was the Braves offense that sunk their chances in 2009, and it is the need they must address this off season. While they did score 735 runs their team batting average was only .263. None of their starting nine players hit over .300 and they were only able to hit 149 home runs. They struck out 1,084 times and were only able to draw 602 walks. Their pitching staff on the other hand is the strength of the team. They only allowed 641 runs, four of their five starting pitchers scored double digit victories, and their staff ERA was 3.57. As a staff they recorded 1,232 strike outs while issuing only 530 walks.

In the end 2,373,631 fans came to Turner Field to see the Braves play. For their 81 home games they averaged 23,304 fans and they were able to sell 58.5% of their 2009 ticket inventory.