It’s been a long, long, long summer for Atlanta Braves fans as we prepare for a merciful final month. Since the All-Star break, the Braves are 12-31 and it’s not getting any better, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore the events that will unfold over the course of September.
Most teams view the roster expansion as a time of relief; managers get a few extra tools to work with, regular players get more days off down the stretch to rest, and some young stars get their first taste of the major leagues. The Atlanta Braves aren’t exactly playing for much at the moment, however. Most fans like me are actually sort of hoping that they continue to lose, in a sick and sadistic way, in order to secure the number 1 overall pick in the 2016 MLB draft.
There isn’t a playoff spot to chase, no rival to realistically knock off, no underdog story to strive towards. Much like I wrote about in my pre-season outlook, 2015 is a time to look at individual player performance and growth, rather than the division standings.
And that being said, the Braves have a few individual performances to monitor over this month, as many of them could have a very big impact on the immediate future of the Atlanta Braves.
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