House That Hank Built
Fansided

The Race for the Worst: Checking the Remaining Atlanta Braves Schedule vs. the Field

By Alan Carpenter

Jul 22, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (39) loses possession of a fly ball in an error in favor of the Oakland Athletics in the eighth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 22, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (39) loses possession of a fly ball in an error in favor of the Oakland Athletics in the eighth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Jul 22, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (39) loses possession of a fly ball in an error in favor of the Oakland Athletics in the eighth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 22, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (39) loses possession of a fly ball in an error in favor of the Oakland Athletics in the eighth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Milwaukee Brewers (57-76)

  • 29 GAMES REMAINING (PIT / CHC / STL / CIN / CHC / PIT / TEX / COL )
  • 2ND HALF:  19-27 (3rd worst NL)

How streaky is Milwaukee?  They’ve just finished runs of 6 losses in a row, 4 wins, and 6 losses.  In their last game they beat the Cardinals, so maybe they are starting another positive run – though it will have to be done at Pittsburgh.

Against the NL Central, the Brew Crew is a not-so-robust 18-35, though they’re treading water against the Reds (6-7), whom they will face twice.

They will catch the Rangers at an interesting time:  Texas should be clinched by then and could even have home field advantage clinched.  So that last nasty road trip (Arlington followed by Denver) might not be quite as bad as you might think.

PROJECTION:  13-16 (70-92).

Oakland Athletics (57-76)

  • 29 GAMES REMAINING (BOS / LAA / SEA / KCR / TEX / HOU / TEX / LAA / SEA )
  • 2ND HALF:  19-25 (3rd worst AL)

More from Tomahawk Take

Another weird team:  they lost 2 of 3 to the White Sox, won 2 of 3 over the Indians and Cardinals, then got swept by the Astros.

This is not a good schedule for the A’s.  They only help here is that the Boston series is on the West Coast.  Still, Boston, Texas, Seattle, and Kansas City all have something to fight for and all are above .500 since the All-Star break.

Moreover, Oakland has no winning record against any upcoming opponent except Kansas City (2-1).  They will own tie-breakers against all involved clubs other than Cincy and Atlanta.  That could come into play as this looks to be a slow fade to the finish.

PROJECTION:  10-19 (67-95).

Tampa Bay Rays (56-76)

  • 30 GAMES REMAINING (TOR / BAL / NYY / TOR / BAL / NYY / BOS / CWS / TEX)
  • 2ND HALF:  22-22 (5th worst AL)

Playing much better in the second half, with few long streaks either way, the problem that Tampa Bay will face is that everyone else in their division still thinks they are in the race.

In addition to that, the Rays only have one more off-day for the rest of the year… while meeting those division rivals while the race is very much up in the air… before getting the White Sox and Rangers to mop it up in October.

That 22-22 2nd-half record just won’t be sustainable:  the Rays hold their own against the Yankees and Blue Jays (13-12), but only barely.  They will fight hard and every opponent will have to “earn it”, I expect the Rays will more-or-less hold their position right here.

PROJECTION:  13-17 (taking 4 of last 7; 69-93).

Next: The Snakes are Alive

Home/Braves News