Next 14 games.

[Heyward]

Home with Reds for 3, Orioles for 3, Padres for 4, Mets for 2, at Jays for 2.

Braves need to take advantage of this because after that it's at Yankees for 3, at Brewers for 4, at Cards for 3, no walk in the park.

[GovClintonTyree]

Home with Reds for 3, Orioles for 3, Padres for 4, Mets for 2, at Jays for 2.

Braves need to take advantage of this because after that it's at Yankees for 3, at Brewers for 4, at Cards for 3, no walk in the park.

You're right. That should tell the tale of contender/pretender status.

We've struggled on the West Coast for some time. I'm disappointed with the SD/LA run, but not surprised. We can get it back by taking care of business and having a really good homestand.

[striker42]

Losing 2 of 3 to a hot Dodgers team in LA isn't bad. Losing 2 of 3 to a bad Padres team who stitched a bullpen start together one of the wins was inexcusable.

Gotta come home and clean up.

[Heyward]

Losing 2 of 3 to a hot Dodgers team in LA isn't bad. Losing 2 of 3 to a bad Padres team who stitched a bullpen start together one of the wins was inexcusable.

Gotta come home and clean up.

Yep, i was hoping for 1 win in LA given the matchups and how hot they've been.

I was thinking since we had Folty/Newk, we could take 2/3 in SD, but Braves have been snake bit there for awhile.

[striker42]

Yep, i was hoping for 1 win in LA given the matchups and how hot they've been.

I was thinking since we had Folty/Newk, we could take 2/3 in SD, but Braves have been snake bit there for awhile.

Losing that pen game hurt.

[UNCBlue012]

We've played .500 ball for a month and still are in first. These next 14 games are pivotal. I'd be thrilled if we could go 9-5 or 10-4.

[TheBravos]

We weren’t as good as we started. We aren’t as bad as we have played lately. Somewhere in between.

These next 14 games are very important if we really want to make the playoffs.

[bravesfanforlife88]

We have got to get Ender going....there are some glaring holes right now in the lineup with the struggles of a few guys, but Inciarte is probably the worst right now

[Enscheff]

We have got to get Ender going....there are some glaring holes right now in the lineup with the struggles of a few guys, but Inciarte is probably the worst right now

Ender's xwOBA by year...

2015: .278
2016: .287
2017: .287
2018: .277

Remember when I said Ender was a below average hitter who relied on some combination of luck/skill to beat his xwOBA?

Well, this year that luck is gone. For 3 years he has consistently outperformed his xwOBA by 0.032-0.047. This year it is exactly flat.

This is what Ender is when the luck is stripped away. Hopefully the same things that allowed him to outperform his xwOBA allow him to bounce back and continue to do so for the rest of the season.

There are 3 things I've identified as skills a player has that contribute to consistently beating his xwOBA:

1. Batting LHed - this hasn't changed for Ender.
2. Running fast - this hasn't changed
3. Spraying the ball - Ender is now pulling the ball much more than he has in the past, and hitting it the other way less often. This (as well as luck) is likely the reason he hasn't been outproducing his xwOBA this year.

[Southcack77]

Ender and Albies are getting their second day off in five days tonight, so I would expect big things for them tomorrow.

[thewupk]

Off to a good start. Not too concerned with the Dodgers series because they are playing way better than their record right now. We split with the Cubs while they were struggling now they are at the top of the NL.

[Tapate50]

Off to a good start. Not too concerned with the Dodgers series because they are playing way better than their record right now. We split with the Cubs while they were struggling now they are at the top of the NL.

That and we absolutely blow goat balls in Petco. Our record there is horrendous (and the teams we have played there are pretty much horrendous too, but we still can't beat em at home)

[thewupk]

2-0 so far

[BeanieAntics]

Yep great start. It'd be great if we could pull off something like 11-3 or 12-2 during this stretch. It should give us a little more room for error during that tough stretch that follows. Hopefully we can go into that with a 3 or 4 game lead in the East.

[thewupk]

3-0 so far. Things are looking good.

[Heyward]

3-0 so far. Things are looking good.

Dont love the chances Friday.

Richard who is pitching well vs McCarthy who is hit or miss.

[CyYoung31]

Dont love the chances Friday.

Richard who is pitching well vs McCarthy who is hit or miss.

We’re winning that game.

[thewupk]

Dont love the chances Friday.

Richard who is pitching well vs McCarthy who is hit or miss.

Padres offense is garbage though

[WaitingFor2017]

5-1 through the first 6 games.

I originally thought 10-4 would be good.

With Baltimore and Cincinnati being awful and at home, I think 6-2 the rest of the way should be the goal.

[cajunrevenge]

we better walk Machado like crazy. He is their whole offense.