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The Atlanta
Braves, believe it or not, are not playing their best yet at
12-1
By Don Stone - Braves Express
The Atlanta Braves are certainly opening
some eyes after their impressive 12-1 start. Before last
weekend, many had pointed to the level of competition as
they took two of three from the Phillies, then swept three
game series against the Cubs and Marlins, teams with a
combined 12-24 record. But there were wins in their against
quality pitchers like Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, and
Jeff Samardzija.
But, another sweep on the road at Washington took that
argument away. The Nationals were 7-2 going into that series
and have been picked by most to go to the World Series this
season. There, new mound victims were added in Steven
Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez, who was 21-8 last
season. Gonzalez only gave up a total of 9 first inning runs
in 2012, but Atlanta got to him for 3 in Sunday's start.
The Braves aren't just doing it with pitching, although
that element has been a key part of their success. But, the
offense has been formidable and spread out throughout the
lineup.
They lead the majors in wins at 12-1 and are second in
the majors in home runs behind Colorado with 20. The current
10 game winning streak is the longest for the team since
2000. If they win today, they'll be 13-1, tying their second
best mark from 1994 and technically tying the longest in
franchise history when Joe Torre started the Braves
at 13-0 in 1982.
But, back to the pitching. Atlanta's staff has a Major
League-best 1.81 ERA led by Paul Majolm who has not
allowed a run in his last 40 innings going back to Spring
Training.
Four bullpen pitchers also have an 0.00 ERA including
Luis Ayala, Cory Gearrin and Craig Kimbrel.
Except for Julio Teheran, the entire staff has ERA's
under 2.70.
Luis Avilan had a 0.00 ERA until he went down with a
hamstring and his running on base scored after he left.
They have the best run differential in baseball with a
66 to 26 ratio having given up a total of 11 runs in their
last 8 games. Won't lose many that way. In fact, that
differential ties the Brooklyn Dodgers for the best ever
after 12 games.
You have to go back to 1994 to find a better start when
Atlanta got off to a blistering 13-1 opening.
It gets a bit tougher later this month with a lot of
road games ahead. Four second place Pittsburgh, three at
second place Colorado, who are 8-4, three at first place
Detroit (7-5). Then, four at home in a rematch with the
Nationals followed by a brief respite with the Mets. Then,
its back on the road again to Cincinnati, who is a better
club than their 5-7 start indicates. They continue with four
at the World Champion San Francisco, then onto 8-4 Arizona.
Teams during that stretch have combined for 52-35 so
far. in the season's first two weeks.
But, could this team actually be better than what
they've shown so far? What makes this start even more
impressive is that the Braves have come nowhere near to
playing their best. Certainly Jason Upton (.348
average and 7 homers, 11 RBI), Evan Gattis (.324 avg.
and 4 homers, 10 RBI), and Chris Johnson (.405) and
Ramiro Pena (.333, 6 RBI) have done their part. But,
would anyone have predicted this success if told that BJ
Upton would be hitting .163, Andrelton Simmons
would have a .211 average, Dan Uggla would only be at
.171 and Jason Heyward would be struggling worst of
all at .103?
Unlikely. And they have also been playing without the
services of perennial All-Star Brian McCann, who is
still going through rehab, slugging first baseman Freddie
Freeman, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a
strained right oblique and reliever Jonny Venters out
with a sprained left elbow.
And, many have almost forgotten Brandon Beachy,
who continues to recover from offseason Tommy John surgery.
He's not expected back from at least mid-summer. He had a
2.00 ERA through 13 games last season.
That's a lot of missing offense in your lineup and
missing stars. Obviously, the team can't keep up this pace
but it will be interesting to see what happens when those
underachievers start achieving and the missing stars return
to the roster. |
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