Upton brothers...

As spring training draws nearer, I'm looking forward to see what the Upton brothers can bring to the Atlanta Braves. I wish former Braves center fielder Michael Bourn well, was one of my favorite Braves players the last two years. Hope he does well with the New York Mets or other teams he might sign with. He carried himself well as an Atlanta Brave.

Former Arizona Diamondback Justin (L) and former Tampa Bay Ray B.J. (R) Photo:David Goldman, AP

But with a new year comes a new era. Gone are the mistakes of last year, including the infield fly that wasn't. Braves could have won that game in the playoffs against the St. Louis Cardinals, and I don't fault the team for losing. That was the first time I can remember that I wasn't upset at the team for actually losing the game, where the game was the last for the season. Example, was pretty disappointed that the Atlanta Falcons let the NFC Championship game get away from them. As I said in a previous post, at least the team took the loss as a professional, and hasn't whined about the no calls like some other coach that we all know.

But back to baseball. Looking forward to seeing younger brother Justin man the left field and B.J. take control in center. Until another team offsets the reigning National League East Champions from last year, the Washington Nationals, I'm still taking them to win the east. But my Braves will come in a close second. I believe the Braves will make it in as a wild card, hopefully with a different outcome from last year. And if all goes well, maybe the team from Dixie can win the east. As of today, here are my standings:

Washinton
Atlanta
New York
Miami
Philadelphia

Don't forget to follow me on twitter @makirkley.

Mark A. Kirkley: twitter @makirkley
Devoted husband and father of Team Kirkley. God and family are #1 in my life.
Academic Librarian/Cobb Game Day Magazine Contributor/Sports Writer/Sports Blogger. "Your thoughts are better organized when they are written."