The 2021 Atlanta Braves season is set to be an exciting one for fans of the team. After a tumultuous 2020 season that saw the team plagued by injuries and inconsistency, the Braves are looking to bounce back in a big way this year.

One of the biggest reasons for optimism in Atlanta is the return of several key players who missed significant time last season. Outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is expected to be fully healthy after missing over a month with a wrist injury last year, and his dynamic presence at the top of the lineup should provide a major boost to the offense.

Likewise, starting pitcher Mike Soroka is expected to be back in action after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury just three starts into the 2020 campaign. If he can return to his dominant form of 2019, when he posted a 2.68 ERA and finished sixth in the National League Cy Young race, he’ll give the Braves a formidable top of the rotation alongside Max Fried.

Speaking of Fried, the left-hander figures to be a key piece of Atlanta’s success as well. He emerged as the team’s ace last year, posting a 2.25 ERA and finishing fifth in the Cy Young voting. If he can come close to replicating that level of performance, the Braves will be in good shape.

Of course, there are still question marks surrounding the team. The bullpen is always a concern, and Atlanta’s relief corps ranked 19th in the majors last season with a 4.50 ERA. The team did make some additions, including veteran closer Will Smith and former All-Star Chris Martin, but it remains to be seen whether the bullpen can be a strength or a liability for the Braves in 2021.

The other major question mark for Atlanta is at third base. After Josh Donaldson departed following the 2019 season, the Braves rotated through a number of options at the hot corner last year, including Austin Riley, Johan Camargo, and Adeiny Hechavarria. None of those options proved to be a long-term solution, and the Braves have yet to make a significant move to address the position this offseason.

Still, overall, there is plenty of reason to be excited about the Braves in 2021. The team boasts a young core that includes Acuña, Fried, and others, and the return of Soroka and other key players could give the Braves the boost they need to make another deep playoff run.

Of course, it won’t be easy. The National League East is shaping up to be one of the toughest divisions in baseball this year, with the New York Mets making big moves this offseason and the defending champion Miami Marlins looking to build on their surprise success.

But if the Braves can stay healthy and get contributions from up and down the lineup, they have a chance to make some noise this year. And for a fan base that hasn’t celebrated a World Series championship since 1995, that’s reason enough to be excited.

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