Atlanta Braves odds – Once-proud rotation will have a new look in 2009

For years, if you were betting on Atlanta Braves odds, you were counting on great pitching to come through in the clutch. Names like Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux were mainstays and ensured Atlanta would always be competitive. The floor really fell out last year, though, and it cost a lot of bettors on Braves' sports betting lines. There’s hope in 2009, though, with some new faces in the mix.

Atlanta Braves odds: Braves are +1000 to win the World Series

• Suffered too many injuries to rotation in ‘08
• New faces Lowe and Vazquez are innings eaters
• Lineup is solid but could use more power

If you’re going to bet the Braves, you need to believe last year’s rotation problems are behind the team. Atlanta struggled with a 4.46 team ERA, good for 12th in the National League. Injuries were a major cause for concern last season, as seven players started at least 13 games; just one pitcher, Jair Jurrjens, managed even 160 innings (Jurrjens went 13-10 with a 3.68 ERA in 180 innings or work).

Derek Lowe should change that. After spending the past four seasons with the Dodgers, the righty brings an impressive resume to Atlanta. He’s pitched at least 180 innings in seven straight seasons, including five of at least 200 innings, so durability isn’t a concern. Lowe has been a quiet star four years now, and he’ll certainly boost Atlanta Braves odds.

Javier Vazquez was acquired from the White Sox and, while his numbers aren’t sensational, he’s another innings eater. Vazquez has pitched at least 200 innings in eight of his last nine seasons, and the lone season he didn’t he tossed 198.

Offensively, Braves betting fans can expect a solid-if-unspectacular lineup. Atlanta was sixth in National League scoring in 2008, although it ranked 14th in homers with a paltry 130 (NL East rival Philadelphia clubbed a league-high 214). Chipper Jones and Brian McCann are at the heart of the order and they’re great players, but they’re not your traditional mashers. It doesn’t appear anyone on this team is capable of eclipsing the 30-homer mark in 2009.

If you’re planning to bet on the Braves, you’ll have to choose your spots this year. There’s a lot to like about Derek Lowe, and the lineup is capable. You probably don’t want to be chasing their sportsbook odds daily, but you could do worse with some of the teams out there. Atlanta does face a tough division though, as the NL East is home to the Phillies and Mets, so keep that in mind when sports betting online.

Get up-to-date Braves odds and MLB odds for every other baseball team at the betonline.com Sportsbook.

Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball.