Atlanta Braves in 2015: How’s Your Optimism Level?

(5) rounds the bases and scores a run during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

HITTING QUESTIONS

H1:  Freddie Freeman – total RBI plus Walks.

• 180 or fewer: 50%
• 181 or more:  50%

Wow… nailed this one right down the middle!  This question was tricky in that if Freddie is an RBI threat, it means that the lineup is working.  If pitchers are walking him routinely, then it means he’s the only lineup threat.  Accordingly, y’all couldn’t decide as a group.

H2: First day Melvin Upton Jr. starts a game for Atlanta in 2015

• May 26 or earlier: 52.9%
• After May 26:  41.2% (pessimistic, but also CORRECT)
• No answer:  5.9%

This is our first already-decided answer:  “after May 26” includes “never”, so shockingly enough, this one is already done.  Never would have guessed that… even during the weekend that it happened.   Just in case you left in ‘no answer’ while thinking that he’d never play for Atlanta again, I should say that this selection was available only to prevent ‘default’ answers from influencing the outcomes of these questions… but the rules indicated that ‘no answer’ responses would not be scored.

H3: Number of Braves hitters with more than 100 strikeouts.

• 2 or fewer:  50%
• 3 or more:  50%

We’re on a roll… another right-down-the-middle result.  To this date, the Braves have the third-fewest K’s in the majors… with only two AL teams ahead of them (the 6-0 Royals and 3-3 Mariners).  In fact, they lead the NL by 7 (37 vs. the Rockies with 44/8th overall).  So far, so good.

H4:  Number of Braves players with 13 or more home runs

• 4 or fewer:  77.9% (pessimistic)
• 5 or more:  22.1%

This will be interesting.  Both the homer run total of 13 and the number of players involved was chosen carefully.  Those I believe are capable of this mark include Freeman, Markakis, CJohnson, Simmons… and then we get to the wild cards.  Pierzynski? Upton was considered, but of course he’s off the board now.  Gomes?  Possible not not likely.  The “under” answers are looking pretty good here.

H5: Number of Braves qualified hitters batting above .275

• 4 or fewer:  69.1% (pessimistic)
• 5 or more:  30.9%

First test here:  reaching the “qualified” standard.  That should include the same foursome mentioned above – though Chris Johnson is at risk.  Jace Peterson and EYoung could get there… this one is thus probably closer to happening than the Homer question.