The Braves are now 2-2 on their current California swing… thus far an improvement over recent years as the state’s hospitality has been a lot less about Hotel California and more like the Bates Motel.
California – and the Pacific time zone in general – has not been kind to the Atlanta Braves. That much has been both evident and building over the past few years:
- 2013:Â Swept by Giants, lost 2 of 3 to ARZ; next trip 2 of 4 to Dodgers and swept by Padres (3-10)
- 2014: lost 2 of 3 to Giants; lost 2 of 3 to ARZ.  Then tanked 6 of 6 to Dodgers and Padres as part of a disastrous 0-8 trip ending in Seattle (2-10, not counting the Mariners).
- 2015:Â dropped 2 of 3 to Dodgers, 2 of 4 to Giants and 2 of 3 to ARZ on that trip; later swept by Padres (4-8).
- 2016:Â lost 5 of 6 to Dodgers and Padres; then 2 of 3 to Giants and ditto to ARZ again (3-9).
So it’s been since 2012 that Atlanta had any success out West at all. That year they took 3 of 4 in Phoenix, 2 of 3 in Los Angeles. But the California Curse must have started that Summer, for they only split 4 games in San Fran and dropped 2 of 3 in San Diego.
So since August 26, 2012, Atlanta has gone 13-39 (.250) against those National League teams West of the Rockies (they haven’t fared that much better against the Rockies, either, for that matter).
So that’s why a 2-2 record – so far – here in 2017 is actually worth notice. It’s been that bad.
So if there’s a split of the remaining Angels games, there’s a fair chance that Atlanta could go for an actual winning record this season in games on the left side of the country for the first time in 5 seasons.
Still some work to do. There are actually two more West Coast swings still to navigate:
- Padres (3) and Oakland (3) [June 27-July 2]
- The tough one:Â Dodgers (4) and Arizona (3) [July 20-28]
A lot of things can change between now and then, but I kind of like our chances.