Only a couple teams ever have started 13-0, so the 12-1 start by the Atlanta Braves was one of the best starts of all-time. How did they do it?
Well let's rule out the argument that everyone knew this would happen... In fact, most people thought that the Nationals would run away with the division. Despite a great offseason, a lot of the focus was put on the moves done in L.A. with the Angels and Dodgers. But the Braves helped themselves out a lot too.
I'll also say that this start isn't reflected by a fully healthy roster. Brian McCann and Brandon Beachy (two of their stars) started the season on the DL. Beachy won't likely return until mid-summer. Freddie Freeman also joined them on the DL after playing just a couple games. And their best non-closing reliever, Johnny Venters, is also injured.
Neither of these things mattered though. Their pitching has been the best in baseball. None of their starters are "aces" by the standards of many others across the league, but all of their pitchers can throw it well and win a lot of games. The bullpen is very solid also obviously headlined by the best closer in baseball (Craig Kimbrel).
Paul Maholm came to the Braves last year from the Cubs and he's been a stud. In fact, due to the fact he is 3-0 and hasn't allowed a run to date would make him the early (very early) frontrunner to the Cy Young.
And the hitting has also been good, although not stellar. Chipper's replacement Chris Johnson has been great (batting over .400). Justin Upton is the early MVP frontrunner due to his league leading 8 homers. But everyone else has been up and down. But hits and runs have been timely and has been done up and down the entire lineup.
As a Braves fan (Andrew) it has been exciting and something I expected to see. The depth in our rotation and batting order will equal a ton of regular season wins. I'd bet my life savings on a playoff birth. I don't know if this team is built for the postseason however...
In October, teams tend to lean on an ace or two to get the must-win games. Like I said earlier, we technically don't have one. We're deeper than every other team in the league but we don't have the horses up front. Plus, our hitters are great but none of them are seemingly great contact hitters. We seem to belt homers but can't produce in many other ways. Will these things be corrected, prove irreverent, or will they haunt us?
Let me know what you think...
By: The Sports Guys
The Braves lost today to the Royals (1-0). Talk about an analyst jinx!
ReplyDeleteIt is too small of a sample size. They will not keep this pace up, or even close to it all year. Granted, they are probably better than most people thought they'd be, but the law of averages will catch up with them at some point. Overall, the Nationals are a better team, and over the course of 162 games (currently 91.4% of the season remaining) the law of averages will come into effect. They will win 85-90 games and make the playoffs, but this excitement after one of the greatest starts of all time is a bit premature in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI agree that obviously they won't keep that pace (12-1) up. That's impossible. But I think that clearly the Braves are a better team than the Nationals looking at the rosters and how they played thus far (and they just swept them). The only difference is that in the playoffs Washington can put Strasburg and Gio on the mound and get wins just based on those two. The Braves can't. That's why I worry about the playoffs. I think the Braves will end up with close to 100 wins. 85-90 is selling them way too short.
ReplyDeleteOne series sweep does not mean that a team is better. Only a Braves fan would think that.100 win teams do not come along very often. Any teams that win 100+ games are great teams. 85-90 win teams are good teams (playoff teams more times than not), 90+ win teams are very good and playoff locks. With the depletion of the Marlins, that will help both Washington and Atlanta, but neither is truly "a great team" which would categorize them at near 100 wins. 100 wins does not happen often (Since 1892 there have been 83 teams with 100+ wins in a season since then).The great Braves teams that won 14 straight division titles only won 100 games 5 times. This team is not that good. You need great starting pitching to win consistently in this league, and as you mentioned, the Braves do not have a dominant starting pitching staff. They are good, but none of them are, in reality, anything more than a #2 pitcher.
ReplyDeleteBut they have great pitching, one of the best staffs in the league, particularly when Beachy returns. You said it yourself, they don't have a 1, but they all are #2's. That means they may lose against #1's, but should win the pitching matchup every other day when facing #2's or worse. Makes them a great regular season team. And I do think we are as good as the 90's Braves. Our hitting is better and staff is as deep... 13-2 baby!
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