If the Braves want to win the NL East this season, they'll have to go through the reigning champion Nationals.

Washington added Denard Span and Rafael Soriano to their 98-win team from 2012.

"We've got to come prepared and ready to fight," Brian McCann said. "But we feel that we are just as good as they are."

Atlanta also has the potential to be better this season after adding both B.J. and Justin Upton.

"I know they're not getting much press right now," McCann said. "But they've got a great team and veteran guys who have been there. If they stay healthy, they're going to be in it until the end. The Nationals are extremely good too, and we've got a good team. So it's going to be a dog fight."