Five reasons the Atlanta Braves will take out the Reds
2. The Attitude is Real
This is a Braves team that already feels like they messed up in 2019 by not getting out of the first round — at the very least. They are definite signs that they want to do that and a lot more.
Teams that are focused and determined can do a lot and that could be even more a factor considering that the Reds seem to be the fashionable pick to beat the Braves.
Such things tend to galvanize a team even more — and frankly, being told that your team is likely to lose (especially a team this talented) is something that is likely to tick off the Braves.
Don’t forget, too, that this club isn’t new to facing strong pitching. They routinely have seen pitchers like Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, Aaron Nola, and Stephen Strasburg. They beat Gerrit Cole earlier this year. They beat Sixto Sanchez last week.
They also have experience against all of the Reds’ expected starters. While none of that happened in 2020, this isn’t a completely foreign concept.
Both sides will certainly remember that when facing Bauer in early 2019, the Braves executed a game plan to spoil pitches in an effort to get Bauer out early.
That plan worked, though it took a while: he lasted into the 7th inning at the cost of 120 pitches (with 2 earned runs, 3 hits, and 10 strikeouts). Once getting him off the mound, the Braves put together an epic rally in the 9th to win 8-7.
Bauer wasn’t happy with what the Braves did, though he was probably (and privately) more annoyed at his own bullpen.
With all of that as a backdrop, it’s going to be very interesting to see how this team approaches Bauer on Wednesday.
1. The Reds haven’t seen anything like this
This is going to be a fun series to watch, and it starts with the best NL pitcher vs. the best NL offense. Bauer has been great, no doubt, but he and his fellow rotation-mates also haven’t faced a lineup like this one.
Braves OPS+: 116
NL/AL Central teams OPS+ (100 is average)
- White Sox: 113
- Twins: 93
- Royals 92
- Cubs: 90
- Cardinals: 90
- Tigers: 89
- Brewers: 88
- Indians: 86
- Pirates: 74 (30th)
The Reds? 87 – tied for 25th overall.
Of note: while Bauer did face the White Sox once, that happened on September 19th while the Sox were slumping (losing 9 of their last 12 games). Nonetheless, he gave up 2 earned runs through 8 innings and the Reds lost 5-0.
So while it may be fashionable to believe that the Reds might ride their pitching horses to victory, the Braves have a lot of horses of their own.
You’ll note that we skipped over the well-stocked bullpen.
Next. Tell Me the Odds.. dark
Prediction: Atlanta Braves in 2 games.