It looked like the 2021 Atlanta Braves would never breach the .500 barrier. The 2022 Atlanta Braves are having the same problem.
It seemed that the baseball gods greased the path to prevent the 2021 Atlanta Braves from getting a winning record; the first seven times they reached the .500 plateau, they quickly slipped off and had to start over.
The team finally found a foothold on August 8 — the 113th game of the season. The 2022 Braves have the same problem compounded by the team’s failure to put together a winning streak.
"Ok, we won a game yesterday. If we win today, it’s called “two in a row”. And if we win again tomorrow, it’s called a “winning streak”… It has happened before.James Gammon as Lou Brown"
It feels different, but it isn’t, is it?
After game 45 last year, the Atlanta Braves had won two in a row four times, recorded two three-game winning streaks, two four-game winning streaks, and had won the first game of their next four-game streak. The club was 21-24, three games under.500
So far, the 2022 Braves have had a chance at a three-game streak six times without adding the third game. They also have a 21-24 record, three games under .500 (going into Friday’s game on May 27). So, what’s the difference? Expectations and changes.
Atlanta Braves World Series Champions
Winning the 2021 World Series created the expectation that the 2022 team would fare as well or better and challenge for the title out of the starting gate. However, that’s not the way it worked.
On paper, the team had the best bullpen in the league and a top-five rotation. The club compensated for the departure of Freeman by bringing in Matt Olson, and while no one believed the outfield was perfect, the signing of Eddie Rosario seemed to fill the gap,
Reality set in when Matzek’s arm wasn’t as devastating as in the postseason, Morton couldn’t find his groove, Rosario could only see out of one eye, and the closers didn’t slam the door. Add to that an underperforming lineup, and you have the 2022 Atlanta Braves.
The only thing permanent is change.
At this point last year, the 2021 Braves had scored 220 runs and allowed 220 runs – yea, I thought that was odd too, but I checked the math twice, and it’s correct- and were four games back of the Mets.
This year the club’s scored 185, allowed 198, and sit 7.5 games back of the Mets.
Last year we lost our superstar in July; this year, we’re waiting for him to reach full strength.
Last year Alex Anthopoulos used all the luck he’d saved up since taking over and pulled three rabbits out of a hat.
This year more teams will make the playoffs, which means every GM has fewer rabbits to grab.
That’s a wrap
The lockout screwed up the offseason for players and clubs alike. Nobody had more time, a few teams threw money at free agents with mixed success, and the Mets landed a winning manager who keeps the players focused.
The key to a winning season is winning each series. So far, the Atlanta Braves have only won four of those.