It appears that the Braves are going to be able to hold on and clinch our 4th straight National League East Division Title! Obviously, its not a done deal yet, but our chances sure look good.
Alex Anthopoulos gave this team and fan base a chance with some good trades at the deadline and look at us now. The Mets and Phillies are in our dust.
Allow me to remind you how this postseason competition works: get into the postseason and anything can happen! Just ask the Marlins.
Right now, it looks like the Phillies must sweep us at Truist Park next week to have a shot at the Postseason. Also, if we allow them to sweep us at home next week, we don’t deserve to get in.
Down the stretch and into the postseason, we’ve got Max Fried, Charlie Morton and Ian Anderson trending up. This is huge. Three quality, dependable starters ready to go 6-7 innings. Ynoa might have to pitch out of the bullpen, which isn’t a bad thing. The rotation can match up!
The Braves line-up is also trending in the right direction, as we head down the home stretch. Freddie Freeman and Austin Riley had impactful road trips swinging the bat. Albies & Freeman beat up on Diamondbacks pitching. Eddie Rosario and Adam Duvall did some damage in San Francisco.
The only regular struggling to get going is Dansby Swanson, but let’s hope that changes and he flips the switch as the finish line approaches. Dansby’s clutch gene will show up.
Travis d’Arnaud is another key to success in crunch time. We need Travis in a big way. He’s fresh, having only played 50 games this season and with 100 at bats under his belt since his return, he should be comfortable at the plate. His postseason experience should be a factor. Travis d’Arnaud could be a difference-maker.
The bullpen is a little shaky right now. Will Smith has closed out over 30 games, but there has been a lot of drama. Richard Rodriguez has taken a step back recently. If the Braves are going to win the East and do some damage come postseason time, then he needs to step it up. Luke Jackson might be the best we’ve got in high leverage situations, so let’s ride him. Martin, Matzek, Minter and Webb need to tighten it up the rest of the way.
We’ve got a shot. The Braves can get us back to the postseason. Remember, get in and anything can happen!
