It was a fun weekend celebrating the 2021 World Series, but what were the highs and lows on the field for the Atlanta Braves in their opening series?
There were a lot of distractions off the field for the Atlanta Braves during their four-game series split against the Cincinnati Reds. But several players were able to push past that and get off to a great start, while others struggled.
With every reaction early in the season, you have to keep in mind there is a lot of baseball left to be played.
But here are some of the highs and lows from the Braves’ opening series.
Braves Opening Series Highs
Matt Olson — You couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to Matt Olson for Braves fans. The new first baseman was 8-for-14 on the weekend and got his first home run as a Brave.
He also made some good picks with the glove at first.
Austin Riley — Looking to prove 2021 wasn’t a fluke, Riley erased all doubts just four games into the 2022 season. He was 5-for-13 at the plate with a home run, but perhaps even more impressive is that he drew 3 walks and struck out just once.
Kyle Wright — It’s obviously a crucial year for the former 5th overall pick, and he couldn’t have gotten off to a better start pitching 6-plus shutout innings allowing just 2 hits with 6 strikeouts.
If we get this version of Kyle Wright this year, this Braves rotation will be the best in baseball.
Braves Opening Series Lows
Ian Anderson — After a weird Spring Training where he had a start rained out and then left another with a blister on his toe — not to mention Spring Training was already shorted — you could somewhat predict a slow start for Ian Anderson.
Walks have been a problem for him in the past, and they killed him on Sunday as he gave up five free passes.
Dansby Swanson — You could pick on a lot of players in the Braves lineup, but the quality of at-bats from Dansby Swanson looked terrible. Plus, eight strikeouts in 12 at-bats is far too many.
Adam Duvall — Again, you could pick on Ozzie Albies and Eddie Rosario who each only had 1 hit on the weekend, but I’m focussing on the quality of at-bats, and Duvall just didn’t have many good ones with 6 strikeouts in 14 at-bats.
Dansby and Duvall will have some stretches where they hit some home runs and look great, but it’s finding that consistency at-bat to at-bat that can be frustrating at times.
Those are my highs and lows for the weekend, let me know some of yours in the comment section below. Now the Atlanta Braves turn their attention to the Washington Nationals.