After a big series win against the San Francisco Giants, the Atlanta Braves will head out West for another difficult stretch of games.
We’ve talked about how the Atlanta Braves took care of business against their easy part of the schedule and how they need to maintain through this tough stretch of games.
Even though they were swept by the New York Yankees in a two-game set, they picked things back up by winning a series against the San Francisco Giants.
That makes them 2-3 in this hard stretch as they head to Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers. While I’d love nothing more than to win a series on the road against the defending World Series champions, the Braves really just have to avoid getting swept.
I said if they go 3-5 in this stretch that would be OK, because they have another easy stretch of games coming up.
However, that doesn’t necessarily include that four-game series in Colorado where the Rockies have been one of the best teams in baseball.
Earning a split in Denver would be satisfactory. That would be the Braves with a 6-9 record through that stretch and 73-63 overall.
The Phillies have three with the Nationals, an off-day on Thursday, and then three with the Marlins. If they go 6-0 in that stretch they’ll be 72-64.
Atlanta would come out of that difficult stretch with just a one-game lead over the Phillies in the NL East.
But then the Phillies have to face the Milwaukee Brewers while the Braves begin a stretch of games against the Nationals, Marlins, and Rockies (at home) where they have a chance to create some more separation.
Certainly, we’re talking worst-case scenario here, but this is a pretty important road trip for the Braves who have to take two Westcoast trips at the end of the year.
If they can just survive and get back home, they’ll be fine.
The Dodgers series scares me having to face Julio Urias, Walker Buehler, and Max Scherzer. And they’re coming off a series loss to the Rockies, so you know they’re out for blood.
But I’m really hoping they don’t fall victim to the Coors effect and are able to beat up on the Rockies in Denver.
It’s really crazy how good the Rockies pitchers have been at home. Austin Gomber has a 2.09 ERA at Coors in 9 starts, German Marquez 3.31 ERA in 15 starts, Jon Gray 3.67 in 12 starts, and Antonio Senzatela (coming off a brilliant start in Dodgers Stadium) has a 3.89 ERA in 12 starts at Coors).
I know the Rockies have been really great at home, but on paper, this is a four-game series the Braves should win — and really need to win.
I know the players take it one game at a time, and that’s great. But as a fan, I’m trying to map out a path to the postseason.
For me, that means the Braves have to win at least three games this week. Any more than that and they should be in really great shape coming home.