Bobby Cox always said that winning series is what matters. Teams can't count on winning every game or going on 20-game winning streaks, but playoff teams find ways to win series. The Braves won their first two series against the Brewers (who just swept the defending champs) and the Nationals (once again the media darling / NL East favorite). With that in mind, the first week was a success. But the Braves are once again walking a razor-thin edge.
The pitching and defense have been nothing short of phenomenal in the first week. Six consecutive games of two runs or less allowed. Six consecutive solid/great starts from Teheran-Wood-Harang-Hale. The bullpen was excellent, with strong debuts from Ian Thomas and Gus Schlosser; solid returns from Carpenter, Walden, and Avilan (not sure why Luis has been limited to a lefty specialist this week, but that's another post); and Craig Kimbrel somehow looking even better than ever. Heyward and Andrelton get to everything. On Friday, Andrelton made the best play that I have ever seen on a groundball up the middle, but unfortunately Freddie couldn't grab the shorthop, so the play will never make highlight reels.
Nevertheless, this team has a lot of flaws and very easily could be 2-4. The offense has been terrible. Right now it feels like the Braves lineup is Freddie Freeman, Chris Johnson, and a bunch of outs (at this moment, the Braves have three hitters with positive value this season according to Fangraphs and one of them is Teheran!). Freeman is a monster. There's almost nothing to discuss here because of how impressive he was. Johnson has a hit in each game, has been a line drive machine, and broke up Garza's no-hitter/won Wednesday's game with a huge home run. Heyward struggled against Washington (0-11, 4 Ks), but he still appears to be taking a good approach and I have faith he will provide a third reliable bat to the offense. The Upton brothers have been terrible. B.J. Upton is a black hole right now (25 ABs, 3 hits, 11 Ks, 0 BBs), but for some unknown reason, Fredi has let Upton bat second between Heyward and Freeman in all six games. Gattis is still lost at the plate and just hacking at everything. Yes he hit a very long home run, but he also has six strikeouts in 12 at-bats, which is beyond unacceptable. Uggla has not been terrible for his new standards, but he is still not helping the offense succeed.
There are some simple fixes to be made. They may not turn the offense into an elite one, but an average lineup would be a massive improvement.
(1) I still think a 60/40 split between Christian Bethancourt and Gerald Laird is the best option at catcher the Braves have. Gattis and Doumit just look terrible.
(2) Call-up and start Tommy La Stella. Unfortunately Uggla has not shown a platoon advantage in his career, but I would consider a platoon if La Stella struggles with tough LHPs.
(3) Platoon B.J. and Schafer. I know that Jonathan doesn't think Schafer is the answer and I don't think he is the long term answer either. Nonetheless, B.J. can't hit righties. Bossman just went 1-19 with 11 Ks against righties this week. Small sample size be damned because B.J. looks like he is blindfolded against righties.
(4) Use the following lineup: Heyward-Simmons-Freeman-Johnson-La Stella-Justin Upton-Bethancourt/Laird-Schafer/Bossman.
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