The Atlanta Braves had a dream season in 2018. The Braves returned to the top of the NL East for the first time since 2013. Atlanta finished the season with a 90-72 record. Just like in 2013, the Braves faced the Dodgers in the NLDS. Los Angeles got the better of Atlanta, eliminating the Braves in four games. The clock struck midnight for Atlanta as their fairy tale season came to an end. The season was not without accolades as centerfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. won National League Rookie of the Year and Manager Brian Snitker won National League Manager of the year. As 2019 winds down, the Braves hope to close out the division and take that next step towards winning a World Series.
This team features familiar faces from last years team. It begins with veteran first baseman, Freddie Freeman. Freeman continues to lead this team on the field. Freddie has hit 38 homeruns and had registered 116 runs batted in. If not for Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich, Freddie would be the front runner for National League MVP. The Braves signed veteran third baseman Josh Donaldson in the offseason. Donaldson has joined the Braves and has hit 37 homeruns. Josh did not start off great but has gotten hot for Atlanta. Add in Acuna, Ozzie Albies, and Dansby Swanson and this lineup can be complete top to bottom. There are many other names we could list and Coach Snitker feels comfortable about starting anyone on this team. No matter who is in the lineup, the Braves team is going to score runs and cause problems for opposing pitchers.
If there is an Achilles heel for this Braves team, it would be pitching. The starting rotation is solid with Max Fried, Mike Soroka, Julio Teheran, Dallas Keuchel, and Mike Foltynewicz. Pitching Coach Rick Kranitz has to feel good about starting any of these five individuals. Starting these guys in October can result in long starts and saving the bullpen. The Braves bullpen has been better with the additions of Shane Greene and Mark Melancon.
Melancon, specifically, has taken over the role of closer. Not to take anything away from Luke Jackson, but the Braves have cut down on blown saves and given their starters more wins. While we say this could be an Achilles heel, the Braves pitching staff has seen better days since the trade deadline. Right now, the Braves could be the most complete team in the National League. Look for this pitching staff to make a difference come postseason play.
As we enter the final two and half weeks of the season, the Braves sit at 90-55 and have a 9.5 game lead over the Washington Nationals. The Braves magic number to clinch the division is 10 games. The Braves face the Nationals, San Francisco Giants, Kansas City Royals, and New York Mets. They also face the Phillies one more time after this week’s series. Looking at this upcoming schedule the Braves can win every series remaining on the schedule. Counting wins for the Braves, give them 2 wins, at most, against every opponent remaining.
The Braves could sweep the Giants and Royals. As we have seen this season, the Braves and Nationals have matched wins the last month or so. If these two teams continue to match wins, that means Atlanta will clinch the division. The Braves will have to wait until the Royals series to celebrate their second straight division championship. Atlanta cannot take anything for granted, but you have to feel confident that the Braves can wrap this division up. Coach Snitker will have his team ready to go and he knows which buttons to push to be successful.
The Braves hope to be on a collision course to the NLCS. The Dodgers seem to be the team to beat in the National League. If both teams stay the course, we could see a Braves vs Dodgers part 3. The Braves have been on the wrong end of these postseason matchups. Atlanta hopes to change the status quo and advance to their first World Series since 1999. Once the Braves get to the Fall Classic, Atlanta hopes to win their second World Series in franchise history. The Braves won the 1995 World Series over the Cleveland Indians. Chop On.
