House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves Shouldn’t Feel Pressure to Counter NL East Moves

By Jake Mastroianni

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 04: General manager Alex Anthopoulos and manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves talk during batting practice prior to Game One of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 04: General manager Alex Anthopoulos and manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves talk during batting practice prior to Game One of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 14: Left fielder Ronald Acuña, Jr. #13 and second baseman Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves shake hands after scoring in the eighth inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on September 14, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 14: Left fielder Ronald Acuña, Jr. #13 and second baseman Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves shake hands after scoring in the eighth inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on September 14, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

Position of Strength

For years to Atlanta Braves played scared to the likes of the Washington Nationals and other NL East rivals, but that’s not the case anymore.

Last year the Braves showed their dominance by beating up on the NL East. They had a winning record against every team in the division and were a combined 49-27 against the NL East.

Whether it was the influx of kids who really didn’t know or care, nobody on that team acted like they were scared to face those other teams.

This was evident when they went up against some of the best pitchers in the National League.

Max Scherzer had a 3.19 ERA against the Braves last year, and this was the only team to give him two losses in 2018.

While Jacob deGrom still dominated the Braves for the most part with a 0.88 ERA against us, we still gave him a couple of L’s.

These players know they are the best team in the division, and they seem to play with a chip on their shoulder when facing their division foes. Now I just wish they played with that same attitude against the NL West.

There is just a different feel with this team, like they know they can beat anybody.

That’s the primary reason why there shouldn’t be a ton of pressure on AA to make another splash:  this team knows it’s good and isn’t worried about what the rest of the division is doing.

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