Heading into the 2004 season, the consensus opinion was that the year had finally arrived when the Braves wouldn't win a division title. Now, as they prepare to capture a 14th consecutive division title, the boys from Atlanta have found there are some media members thinking a trip to the World Series is in their future.

But for guys like Andruw Jones or Chipper Jones, who have never known a baseball season to end without participation in the postseason, they really don't worry too much about preseason predictions. In fact, they seemingly would enjoy being able to prove everyone wrong every year.

"Before [last] spring, they were saying [that was] going to be the final year for us," Andruw Jones said. "Now, they're picking [us]. We don't know what the hell is going on."

When experts like ESPN's Tim Kurkjian predict that the Braves will lose to the Yankees in the World Series, they're factoring in what could one of the finest rotations to ever grace Atlanta.

At the same time, the optimistic predictions are putting some faith in both Raul Mondesi and Brian Jordan. While they're not the centerpieces, their production and availability will be very important to the team's offensive success.

If productive, Jordan and Mondesi will become rags-to-riches success stories like the resilient Braves of last year. They were basically declared dead by many as late as June 23. But, by the end, they had successfully played the part of underdog.

"I don't like being picked first," Braves catcher Johnny Estrada said. "We're not going to be able to sneak up on people."

Not everybody is picking the Braves to advance to the World Series or even into the postseason. There are some who aren't completely sold on John Smoltz moving back into the rotation. There are others who simply don't believe there will be enough offense in Atlanta to compensate for a suspect bullpen.

For good reason, there are also others picking against the Braves because they simply believe the much-improved Marlins are better. If Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett stay healthy, the Florida rotation does have a chance to rival Atlanta's formidable one.

Also with Carlos Delgado in the lineup, the Marlins have a legitimate left-handed power source to go with what was already a decent lineup. If not the Marlins, it could be the Mets or the Phillies who end Atlanta's run.

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Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran think they can revitalize the Mets. The Phillies are excited to see if manager Charlie Manuel's influence does something to rid them of their underachieving tag. Even in Washington, there's some reason for optimism, given that they have a home and a strong defensive team that could really compliment a respectable pitching staff.

"There's going to be extra emphasis [on division opponents] this year," Chipper Jones said. "There are not going to be any layups. Any one of the top four can get hot and run away and hide. Washington is not a layup. You're no longer going to expect to win three out of three there. They've got good starters, good everyday players. In any other division, they'd be a lot better."

It appears the National League East race will be a very tight one. The Braves have managed to coast to division titles during the past three seasons. That might not be the case this year. Of course, according to some, there might not even be a division title at the end of this road.

But that's the good thing about early April. Everybody is still considered an expert. In a few months, the realities of a long baseball season will bring numerous new story lines and what appeared to be a lock at the beginning of the season will simply be a mistaken preseason prediction.

"There are some good teams around baseball," Chipper Jones said. "The season never works out the way you think it's going to work out. There are always surprises, always teams that step up and play well and others that kind of fall on their face. Hopefully, we're not one of the ones that falls on their faces."