Atlanta Braves players and brothers B.J. and Justin Upton recently graced the cover of Sports Illustrated with actress and model Kate Upton. The photo on the cover shows the Upton brothers hoisting Kate Upton on their shoulders with the question: "Can the Upton brothers power Atlanta?"
Atlanta, apparently believes they can power the team as the Braves prepare to host the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday night at Turner Field for the opening game of the National League Division Series, and they opted to keep the struggling B.J. Upton on the roster for the team's playoff run while second baseman Dan Uggla was left off.
Upton, who is finishing up the first year of his five-year deal that is worth over $75 million, has not put up a good showing in his first year in an Atlanta uniform. Upton hit just .184 with nine homers, 26 RBIs and had 151 strikeouts through 126 games in the regular-season. Despite his sluggish numbers, Atlanta opted to go with him, and not their former All-Star second baseman in Uggla.
Uggla had an even worse average than Upton, as he hit just .179 on the season through 136 games with 22 homers and 55 RBIs while breaking his own franchise record for most strikeouts by fanning 171 times in the season.
"It's tough," catcher Brian McCann told The Associated Press. "Dan is one of my closest friends on the team. I feel for him. He's put so much hard work into the season and since he's been here. We all have his back in here."
Uggla struggled so much that he went on the disabled list in August to receive laser eye surgery, however when he returned things didn't get better as he hit just .122 in 49 September at-bats before losing his playing time to Elliot Johnson, who Atlanta claimed off waivers and will take Uggla's spot at second in the postseason.
Upton also lost his starting job down the stretch as the Braves clinched their first National League East title since 2005, but he will at least be used off the bench during the postseason, in pinch-hitting and defensive replacement situations. Atlanta is prepared to go with an outfield that includes rookie Evan Gattis in left, Jason Heyward in center, and B.J.'s brother Justin in right field.
The Braves take the field looking to knock off the National League West champion Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, in the opener of the best-of-five series.
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