Atlanta Braves: Positives From Four Games and Home Opener Experience
We take a quick look at some of the positives for the Atlanta Braves through the first four games, and I talk about my experience at the home opener.
I know it’s just four games, but with all of these off days early in the year for the Atlanta Braves we have a lot of time to reflect.
Unfortunately for Braves fans, that reflection has mostly been negative, so I thought it would be good to try and point out the positives for Braves fans.
The first positive is that we have only played four games. And while I’m of the thought that every game counts the same, we have to keep a little perspective.
We started the season in Philadelphia with a team that was hype from a big offseason, and in front of a fanbase that was hype as well.
However, that will only go so far. As soon as the Phillies hit their first bump in the road, or Harper goes 0-for-20, that team will come back down to life.
I’m not saying the Phillies will be bad this year, that lineup is legit, but there will never be as much energy on that team and in that stadium this year as we saw in the Opening Weekend unless they make the playoffs.
And then when you consider we threw two rookie starters out there in that environment, and you can understand why we got swept.
There are certainly some issues with this team, but there are also some major positives from the first four games.
A Top 10 Offense
It’s still way too early to start looking at statistics, but the Atlanta Braves have the ability to be a top 10 offense.
We all knew that if this lineup was healthy, the offense would be good, and I think it could be even better than expected.
Again, small sample size, but the Braves are hitting .252 as a team (8th in MLB), have a .368 OBP (6th in MLB), and they’ve scored the sixth most runs of teams who have played four or fewer games.
Last year they hit .257 as a team with a .324 OBP and they were 10th in runs scored.
And I think most would agree that we haven’t seen this offense click on all cylinders yet.
Freddie Freeman (.500) and Ozzie Albies (.429) are the only lineup regulars hitting over .250 right now.
Ronald Acuna (.214), Josh Donaldson (.200), and Nick Markakis (.188) have yet to really get going.
In their home opening win on Monday they showed signs of putting it all together as every position player who started got at least one hit.
They’ve also drawn 23 walks to 35 strikeouts, which isn’t terrible. That’s the fourth most walks in the league, and the ninth-fewest strikeouts.
We could be seeing a historically good offense for the Atlanta Braves this season.
Pitching Help Will be Here Soon
I looked for a positive pitching stat through the first four games, but I just could find one, so I’ll just remind everyone that help is on the way.
And no, it’s not coming in the form of Craig Kimbrel — although I still think that happens for the Atlanta Braves, just later.
A.J. Minter will throw live batting practice today (Tuesday) and if everything goes well he could be activated on Thursday’s game against the Chicago Cubs.
While Minter has certainly had some command issues of his own, having him in the bullpen will be a big help.
Mike Foltynewicz will make an Opening Day start in 2019, but it will be for the Gwinnett Stripers when they take the field for the first time on Thursday, April 4.
It’s suspected that he’ll make the start on Thursday and then another rehab start on April 9, and then he could make his debut with the Atlanta Braves on April 14.
I can’t tell you what it would mean to have a healthy Folty atop our starting rotation. If Sean Newcomb can find his command, and Julio Teheran keeps throwing like he did on Opening Day, we can battle with that 1-3.
And to deepen that rotation even further, Kevin Gausman is expected to make his debut on Friday. But as bad as he was in Spring Training, I’m not sure what to expect from him.
But, the Atlanta Braves could have their projected rotation together as soon as April 14.
And it’s one game, but the bullpen was outstanding on Monday pitching five shutout innings without allowing a walk — it’s amazing what happens when you don’t walk anybody.
My Home Opener Experience
I have now been to 11 straight home openers for the Atlanta Braves, and they’ve all been amazing.
It’s hard to ever top Jason Heyward‘s first home run, or the walk-off hit that Nick Markakis had in 2018.
But this home opener was even more special for me as it was my son’s first Braves game. It’s was a great experience that I will never forget.
But beyond that mushy stuff, experiencing an Atlanta Braves game at SunTrust Park is like none other.
I’ll admit that I was upset when we left downtown and Turner Field, but I’ve really come around on SunTrust and the Battery.
You don’t just go for a game anymore, you go for an experience.
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Every time I go to a Braves game now I’m staying at a hotel, I’m going out to eat in the Battery, my wife is shopping, and then I’m enjoying a baseball game.
And as my kid gets older the experience will get even better will all of the great activities they have for kids.
Before, I would drive to Turner Field and might see a great game. But if not, you went home feeling a little unsatisfied.
I’ve never left SunTrust/the Battery disappointed. They’ve done a great job there, and if you haven’t had the opportunity to go, make plans to do so.
I’m blessed to have a huge TV at home to watch games on, but there is still nothing like being there in person.
dark. Next. Open Letter to AA
When I left Atlanta early Tuesday morning, I was already thinking about when I can go back. And that’s a credit to what they’ve built there.