'MLB: The Show 13' thinks Braves are a World Series contender

The Atlanta Braves are expected to have another great season in 2013 and the makers of “MLB: The Show 13” seems to agree.

The upcoming baseball video game released their team rankings on Friday and have the Braves ranked eighth overall out of 30 teams.

The makers of the game that is only for Playstation 3 and the Playstaion Vita also gave team pitching, batting and defense rankings and the Braves fared well in each category. Atlanta came in third in pitching, 12th in batting and seventh and defense.

Individual ratings have not been released yet, but there are good reasons the Braves are ranked high in “MLB: The Show 13.”

With the new additions of Justin Upton and B.J. Upton, the Braves have an outfield where all three members, including Jason Heyward, can hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases. Then add power hitters Freddie Freeman, Brian McCann and Dan Uggla in the mix and that’s makes a team where six players can hit 25 homers.

As far as the pitching and defense go, the Braves have a few starters that win a lot of ball games. Kris Medlen and Tim Hudson lead the pack but Paul Maholm and Mike Minor pitched well down the stretch.

And the bullpen for the Braves could be the best in the majors as Craig Kimbrel and Eric O’Flaherty lead the relievers. Kimbrel had 42 saves last year while O’Flaherty allowed only four earned runs in 49 innings.

The reason the Braves are ranked high in defense is they posted a .986 fielding percentage last year which was the best in the National League.

“MLB: The Show 13” will be released for the Playstation 3 and the Playstation Vita on March 5. The Braves will open the 2013 season on April 1, when they face the Philadelphia Phillies.