Atlanta, GA
Led By Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves Are The Class Of The NL East
Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) in the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, … [+]
For the rest of this week, I’ll continue to take a look at the Opening Day true-talent rankings of the 30 MLB clubs on a division-by-division basis. While the rankings are based on actual 2023 batted-ball data, off-season player movement and potential impact of 2024 rookies will be addressed. We looked at the AL East, AL Central and AL West last week. Today, it’s the NL East.
1 – Atlanta Braves – ”Tru” Talent Record = 105-57 – Offensive Rating = 131.7 (1st), Pitching Rating = 93.5 (9th), Defensive Rating = 103.3 (26th) IN: LHP Chris Sale, RHP Reynaldo Lopez, LF Jarred Kelenic, CF Adam Duvall; OUT: 2B Vaughn Grissom, RHP Kyle Wright, RHP Nick Anderson, RHP Michael Soroka, UT Nicky Lopez, RHP Michael Tonkin
The Braves offense was historically loaded last season and has a chance to be just as good or better in 2024. If they can fix Kelenic, cutting his Ks while keeping the thunderous contact, watch out. Ronald Acuna Jr.’s 2023 was even better than advertised – he sharply cut his K rate while absolutely destroying the baseball – he’ll serve as the blueprint for the former Mariner. Their starting pitching projects to improve, with the return of a healthy Max Fried, the addition of the high-upside Sale, and the rejuvenation of Reynaldo Lopez, who has been brilliant this spring. This is a win-now group, hence the return of young starters Bryce Elder and A.J. Smith-Shawver to the minors, at least to begin the season. Everyone crows about the Dodgers, but this bunch is even better on paper.
2 – Philadelphia Phillies – ”Tru” Talent Record = 94-68 – Offensive Rating = 101.5 (12th), Pitching Rating = 88.1 (2nd), Defensive Rating = 97.4 (8th) IN: UT Whit Merrifield, RHP Spencer Turnbull; OUT: 1B Rhys Hoskins, RHP Craig Kimbrel
The Phils kind of get lost behind the mighty Braves, but it must be remembered that this group has ousted their divisional rivals from the postseason in both 2022 and 2023. They are even more status-quo and win-now than the Braves, with comparatively little player turnover this offseason. Their pitching doesn’t get enough ink – when you can pencil in 400+ strong innings from anchor starters Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, that’s a sturdy contending foundation. The closer role is turned over to lefty Jose Alvarado, whose upside is higher than the departed Kimbrel. Like the Braves, the Phils have little time for youngsters and rookies – CF Johan Rojas is about as green as the Phils get, and his combo of elite defense and an improved bat is enticing.
3 – Miami Marlins – ”Tru” Talent Record = 82-80 – Offensive Rating = 95.5 (21th), Pitching Rating = 92.3 (7th), Defensive Rating = 101.9 (21st) IN: SS Tim Anderson, C Christian Bethancourt; OUT: DH Jorge Soler, LHP Matt Moore, RHP David Robertson, UT Joey Wendle, UT Garrett Hampson
I’ve got a bad feeling about this team. They were a good pitching/bad offense team to begin with, and did little to improve their weakness while their strength is being ravaged by injury. Their hospital rotation of Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett and Eury Perez is far better than the healthy one led by Jesus Luzardo, converted reliever A.J. Puk and Trevor Rogers. The offense was better down the stretch last season after the acquisitions of Josh Bell and Jake Burger, but they’ll be hard-pressed to repeat their post-trade rate stats. RF Jesus Sanchez could be poised for a breakthrough campaign, and Tanner Scott is an underrated closer. Besides Perez, youthful contributors could include SS Xavier Edwards and LHP Ryan Weathers. I don’t see the Fish as a playoff contender this time around.
4 – New York Mets – ”Tru” Talent Record = 76-86 – Offensive Rating = 102.0 (11th), Pitching Rating = 101.9 (20th), Defensive Rating = 106.3 (28th) IN: CF Harrison Bader, RF Tyrone Taylor, RHP Luis Severino, RHP Adrian Houser, UT Joey Wendle, LHP Sean Manaea, RHP Michael Tonkin, DH Ji-Man Choi; OUT: RHP Trevor Gott
Interesting group. They were an overpriced, overhyped disaster in the first half of 2023, and then pivoted to an overhaul which they executed quite perfectly. The Mets were the rare team to admit their mistakes and eat the financial cost. They are now loaded with young players who will be part of the next strong Met club – from C Francisco Alvarez, 3Bs Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, and trade deadline acquisitions SS Luisangel Acuna and OFs Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford. The starting pitching depth remains a concern, but the team defense should be greatly improved with Bader in center, and Brandon Nimmo, a second legit CF, in left. The franchise anchors remain SS Francisco Lindor and 1B Pete Alonso, whose contract situation will need to be settled soon, one way or the other. With any semblance of quality starting pitching, the return of closer Edwin Diaz could enable this bunch to sneak into the wild card race.
5 – Washington Nationals – ”Tru” Talent Record = 60-102 – Offensive Rating = 88.2 (28th), Pitching Rating = 117.9 (29th), Defensive Rating = 97.4 (9th) IN: UT Nick Senzel, OF Joey Gallo, OF Jesse Winker; OUT: None
The Nats are also a status-quo group, but their near-term outlook is markedly different from the Braves or Phillies. Their lineup should be a tad more potent with the addition of Gallo and the continued maturation of SS C.J. Abrams, but that could be offset by the return to earth of RF Lane Thomas, whose batted ball metrics don’t come close to supporting his 2023 production. On the pitching side, they’re basically running out the same cast of characters, with Josiah Gray their best hope for a positive breakthrough. There should be some help coming from the minors before too long, as OF James Wood has superstar upside and 3B Brady House and LHP D.J. Herz could be ready to contribute by season’s end. For now, however, the Nationals remain also-rans.
She’s cheer captain, and he’s in the bleachers.
Bill Belichick was in Atlanta over the weekend to cheer on his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, during a cheerleading competition, TMZ reported.
Hudson was competing for Code Black, which she cheered for in a Cheer Extreme All-Stars event in Raleigh, North Carolina, in November.
Belichick sported a button-down shirt, jeans and a Navy submarine cap, while Hudson donned the Code Black uniform, as did the rest of her teammates.
Photos published by the outlet showed the two all smiles as they stood next to one another.
Hudson had also posted a video of part of the routine Code Black performed during the first day of the competition.
Belichick has not been shy about supporting his younger paramour since their relationship became public over the summer of 2024.
The University of North Carolina football coach, and six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach, attended the cheer competition in November and was there to support Hudson at the Miss Maine USA pageant earlier this year.
Hudson has been there to support Belichick throughout his first season at the helm at UNC, which drew plenty of headlines off the field.
The relationship between the 73-year-old and Hudson has generated plenty of interest and drama, aside from Belichick going 4-8 in his first season at UNC and repeated questions about whether he would leave the football program. Belichick ended up making major staff changes after the season.
Hudson created waves earlier this year when she stepped in during a “CBS Sunday Morning” interview when Belichick was asked how the pair met, creating weeks of headlines.
More recently, she has been in a back-and-forth with investigative sports journalist Pablo Torre – at one point claiming she would sue him – and last month The Post reported that Jen Belichick, the daughter-in-law of Bill – went on a nearly hour-long rant in the coach’s office about Hudson and how she was “f–king twisting” Belichick’s brain.
Atlanta, GA
Security tightened for Hanukkah celebrations across metro Atlanta after Sydney mass shooting
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Dozens of Hanukkah celebrations across metro Atlanta will go on as scheduled this week.
Security is now top priority following the brutal shooting that killed 15 people at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
“Of course the minute the news came out from Australia we were in touch with our law enforcement partners,” said Renee Kutner, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. “We went back through the plans. We amped them up where we needed to. People will see extra patrols around, not because there’s threats but because we just want to make sure everybody knows that they’re safe.”
The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta says it spends millions of dollars every year securing its community against antisemitic attacks.
“We are so blessed to have really, really great relationships with law enforcement at every level across metro Atlanta and throughout Georgia,” Kutner said. “And we’ve been in contact with all of them. They are so supportive and they will be at our events – they will amp up the security.”
According to Kutner, the heightened security is out of an abundance of caution.
“We have no credible threats, no reason to believe that lone actors somewhere else will affect anything here, and we want to give our community the chance to celebrate,” Kutner said.
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Copyright 2025 WANF. All rights reserved.
The Hawks would love to forget Friday’s embarrassing loss to the Detroit Pistons.
After an entertaining first quarter, Atlanta was dominated over the final three quarters and ended up losing by 27 points to the top team in the Eastern Conference. They are hoping for a quick bounce back today at home vs Philadelphia and will could use a win to get back on track.
The game is getting closer to tipoff and both teams have announced their starting lineups:
Hawks
G-Nickeil Alexander-Walker
G- Dyson Daniels
F- Zaccharie Risacher
F- Jalen Johnson
C- Onyeka Okongwu
76ers
G- Quentin Grimes
G- VJ Edgecombe
F- Paul George
F- Dominick Barlow
C- Joel Embiid
Deeper look at Atlanta
When previewing the game this morning, our own Rohan Raman took a deeper look at the Hawks’ advanced numbers today:
“Atlanta’s offense has been surprisingly solid without Trae Young, but the Pistons game was a poor showing. The Hawks are 12th in points, 10th in FG%, 10th in 3P%, 17th in FT%, 25th in rebounds (24th in OREB, 22nd in DREB), 1st in assists, and 18th in turnovers per game. They’re 16th in offensive rating this year.
On a per-game basis, the Hawks’ defense rank 21st in points allowed, 18th in FG% allowed, 9th in 3P% allowed, 23rd in rebounds allowed, 4th in steals, and 12th in blocks. They’re 14th in defensive rating on the year, which puts them in a slightly above-average tier despite their recent run of poor performance on end.
Philadelphia is still figuring out how their offense operates when everyone is healthy, but Tyrese Maxey is always dangerous and they quietly have a reasonably deep roster. They’re 16th in points, 24th in FG%, 17th in 3P%, 6th in FT%, 9th in rebounds (10th in OREB, 9th in DREB), 20th in assists, and 11th in turnovers per game. They’re 15th in offensive rating this season.
After a difficult night against a tough Detroit defense, the matchup gets slightly easier against the 76ers. Even so, they’ve been playing good defense as of late – albeit against poor competition. They are 12th in points allowed, 8th in FG% allowed, 8th in 3P% allowed, 21st in rebounds allowed, 19th in steals, and 2nd in blocks. They’re 9th in defensive rating, so this would be the second straight game for the Hawks against a top-ten defense by defensive rating.”
Because they are at home and will have the best player on the floor, I like the Hawks to win this game. Quentin Grimes is someone who has given the Hawks trouble before, and rookie VJ Edgecombe has had a great start to his career. Still, I like Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu to lead the Hawks to a win today at home.
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