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The Atlanta Braves finished the 2009 MLB season 86-76. The record was a surprise to fans, though with the offseason pickups of Javier Vazquez and Derek Lowe, it was not a huge surprise. The team still finished short of a return to the playoffs, trailing the first place Phillies by seven games and the Wild Card Colorado Rockies by six.

The Braves had very good balance, countering a team ERA that was good for third in the National League with a batting average that was good for fourth. However, those hits could simply not convert enough base runners into runs, as the Atlanta Braves ranked sixth in the NL in runs scored.

Starting pitchers Jair Jurrjens and Vazquez both threw the ball very well all season long. They both ended the season with an ERA under 3.00. Lowe had issues, with his ERA ballooning to 4.67 by the end of the schedule. Another pitcher emerged as a savior, Tommy Hanson. He posted an ERA below 3.00 as well. The major issue seemed to be a lack of a clear closer in the bullpen and a limited supply of setup men.

This Braves team fell quite short on power, but they made great contact. Second baseman Martin Prado was the only regular with a batting average over .300, but several players hit well enough to keep this baseball club in the pennant race until the final month. The addition of Nate McLouth and Ryan Church did not have the intended effect to alleviate these slugging concerns.

Still, this team looks like it has a great pitching staff on hand for the 2010 season and there may be enough talent on the field to make another run at the NL East division title and the pennant. Enjoy a night at Turner Field with Atlanta Braves tickets next summer and see a team emerging early from the rebuilding plan.