For the most part, Atlanta Braves fans have grown to be pleased anytime the Braves manage to split a West Coast series. Atlanta has historically not performed well out west, and given that the DBacks appear to be pretty decent this year, splitting in Arizona is a very reasonable outcome. However, it is hard not to be at least a little disappointed knowing that just a few mistakes cost them a series win or even a series sweep.
Thankfully, the Braves have a chance to make up for the mild disappointment this week. Not only have they reached the end of their 13-game stretch without a day off to start the season, but they are going up against an Angels team that seems particularly vulnerable at the moment.
The Braves are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the match-up against Angels this week
Now, the Angels are not the pushovers that some fans may think they are. They still have some bats that can be dangerous, and their pitching staff is honestly significantly improved. Granted, the bar set by previous Angels pitching staffs is impossibly low, but LA's arms actually have the eighth-highest fWAR in all of baseball so far.
However, the Braves appear to match up well given the circumstances. The Angels' best starter (or at least one that has a strong argument for the title), Jose Soriano, takes the mound on Monday, but he is facing off against Chris Sale, who can go toe to toe with anyone, and Atlanta has some lefty bats that can do real damage. The Angels also may be without Mike Trout for at least part of the series after a HBP to his hand over the weekend.
There are other minor advantages Atlanta has going for it. They have a strong lineup against lefties, which helps neutralize Yusei Kikuchi and Reid Detmers, who start on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. The Braves have a few guys who are hitting out of their minds right now, with sophomore phenom Drake Baldwin leading the way.
This match-up against the Angels is not a gimme, but it is one where the Braves should be favored. If they can snag a series win, Atlanta will have somehow thrived during an early stretch of the season where they were at anything but full strength. However, if they lose the series, it will feel like a huge missed opportunity that could come back to haunt the Braves later in the season.