It’s time for the Atlanta Braves to catch the Mets
A Safe Atlanta Homestand?
OAKLAND – 2 GAMES IN ATLANTA
The A’s are feisty, but struggling. Their lone 3-game win streak this year came against Detroit, and a 5-out-of-7 winning outburst in that same time period hasn’t been sustainable.
Since April 24th, in fact, the A’s are 11-22. For them, a trip to the East (Atlanta/Cleveland/Boston) is going to be brutal, though Atlanta is their first destination.
You would think that Frankie Montas would be their most feared starter, but he’s 2-4 with a 3.28 ERA — very good, but not formidable. While he’s lined up to face Atlanta in game 1 (with 3.15 Cole Irvin in game 2), it’s Paul Blackburn that the Braves will miss… he’s 5-0 with a 1.70 ERA.
PITTSBURGH – 4 GAMES IN ATLANTA
Ah, the Pirates: 19-27 after splitting their last 6 games against the Rockies (2-1) and Padres (1-2). That’s better than the period between May 7 and May 22 when they had been giving up some lopsided scores.
Only Jose Quintana has been pitching well for them… and the Braves are set to miss him during this series.
Now… back on the road.
WASHINGTON – 3 GAMES AT THE NAVY YARDS
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The 18-31 Nationals are struggling badly, but have won 4 of their last 5 over the Dodgers (once) and the Rockies (3 times in 4 tries).
If the Nats get some offense going, they tend to score in bunches, but it’s a better bet that Atlanta’s pitching will keep their bats at bay.
The wild card: Stephen Strasburg — if all goes according to their plan — could be pitching in the majors again around the time of this series. He made a successful 2nd rehab start at the Single-A level on Sunday.
That potentially lines him up for the middle of the Braves series.
CHICAGO – 3 GAMES AT WRIGLEY
At 19-27, the Cubs have had their own problems, too. In fact, 7 of their last 8 wins have been against Arizona, Pittsburgh, and the Reds… and they are still only 8-8 in their last 16.
The Braves schlepped through a series win against them in late April, but seem much better positioned to do more damage this time around.
So that’s 19 games where Atlanta should find themselves favored to win in all of them. 19 in a row is highly unlikely, but … 13 wins? 14? It’s going to take that or more to get back in this NL East race.