Still, though the Braves lost this division should they finish behind NY in April. They stumbled out of the gate against two of the worst teams in the league in the Reds and Nats at home. I get it Ronnie was out, the clubhouse was still stunned Freeman wasn't a Brave, and the World Series Championship celebrations were still going on. All of that makes the slow start understandable but it is a yoke around the neck of the division-winning chances.
Sure starting slow to bad teams is a yoke...however, they still have the best record in the league against <500 teams. It is the good ones that they have less success. You cant be the best when you consistently lose the series against the best. (1-2 against LA twice, 1-4 against NYM, 1-2 against StL come to mind). You have to show up big against good teams. Now is the time to show they can win series when it is on the line, if they can, they can win the division.
Well, since June 1, they've been kicking everybody's ass, with a couple exceptions like that Met series. >.500, <.500, no matter. The key is not sleepwalking through the first two months. To me, the insertion of Harris to the outfield and Strider to the rotation cannot be overstated. Team has been soaring since.
Some people are trying oddly hard not to be impressed with this team.
clvclv (09-09-2022)
It's not that I'm unimpressed. I just don't get the same buzz off pro sports I used to. All I am stating are facts, they lost this division in April if they don't close as strong as we hope.
The 1999 team is pretty underrated, considering they won 103 games and reached the World Series despite a series of devastating injuries. I'm also partial to 2002, but that was a pretty offensively inept squad that won on the strength of a ferocious pitching staff and didn't get past the LDS.
I think we need 104 to win it.
jpx7 (09-10-2022)
The Phillies are 3-7 over their last 10 games. The Brewers are only 2.5 GB of the third and final WC spot. How beautiful would it be for the Phillies to choke down the stretch and the Brewers sneak in.
The Braves can obviously help against the Phillies, and the Brewers have 3 against the Mets they can help us out with.
Get off my lawn!
jpx7 (09-10-2022)
The Nationals just swept the Cardinals after taking two of three against the Mets.
jpx7 (09-10-2022)
jpx7 (09-10-2022)
One thing I like about these late start times. We know what the Mutts will do before we probably start.
Coppy
jpx7 (09-10-2022)
clvclv (09-10-2022)