Why this could be the best Braves team ever
There are several ways to look at Opening Day of the baseball season, or even the first few weeks. Remember, this is a sport that some people don't even pay attention to until Memorial Day.
It's easy to get ahead of the game and think only about October. The Atlanta Braves do have one of the best rosters in the sport, so focusing on what they may do in six months is something many get lost in.
But why not enjoy the process of watching the six-month regular season instead of jumping ahead to something we certainly cannot predict right now? The Braves won 104 games last season. They averaged 5.8 runs per game and set offensive records. It was a nightly offensive fireworks show, one that if you watched regularly, you were undoubtedly greatly entertained.
It's best to enjoy the season, the nightly games that are a lot more entertaining than network television these days. And remember, whether the Braves or your favorite team get off to a great start or even a bad start, it's a long way to October.
This year's Braves team is very good — at least on paper. It might be the best roster since the team moved to Atlanta in 1966.
You might not think an offense that set records could get better, or that it's even possible for the offense to repeat an historic performance, but the Braves might not have to if the pitching is better.
The Braves averaged a run more per game last season than in 2022, but the team ERA for the pitching staff went from 3.46 to 4.14. The rotation ERA was even worse last season – 4.36. But this season Max Fried and newly-acquired Chris Sale are healthy. They could be the top two lefty starters in the sport.
Then there's Spencer Strider, who was so ticked the Braves lost to the Phillies last October that he added a curveball to his already-impressive arsenal. All he did this spring was look unhittable.
Charlie Morton may be 40, but it's probably just smart to let him go as long as he can last. You'll know if he's running out of batteries, and there is no indication of that yet. Reynaldo Lopez will begin the season as the fifth starter, and the Braves will ride him as long as he can be dependable.
Injuries can happen at any time and change things in a heartbeat. Fried had a healthy spring last year, but he strained his hamstring in the fourth inning of the first game of the season. That led to an injury-plagued season that likely contributed to the rotation
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issues. But there is no way any team in baseball can guarantee they will have a relatively-injury free season.
The Braves do have better backups for the rotation this season. Bryce Elder, who was an MLB All-Star last July, will start in Triple-A Gwinnett. AJ SmithShawver is the team's best pitching prospect, and no one will be surprised if he shows he belongs in Atlanta early in the season. Darius Vines, Dylan Dodd, Huascar Ynoa and Allan Winans will also be options, and all have at least some experience in Atlanta.
Plus, if he dominates in Double-A Mississippi or even in Gwinnett, last year's first-round pick Hurston Waldrep will be pushed to Atlanta if needed.
Then there's the Atlanta bullpen, which had a 3.81 ERA last season, much worse than the 3.03 from the 2022 season. Raisel Iglesias is back as the closer, and while he can be scary at times, he's been effective. A.J. Minter returns, and as long as he's not closing, he is one of the best lefty relievers in the sport.
The Braves brought Joe Jimenez and Pierce Johnson back. Both are hardthrowing right-handers who were very effective last season. Speaking of being back, Tyler Matzek returned this spring with a vengeance from missing last year with Tommy John elbow surgery. Matzek and Dylan Lee join Minter and newly-acquired Aaron Bummer to give Atlanta the best group of lefty relievers in baseball. And when facing tough lefty hitters like Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, or Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani, you can bet the Braves will need effective lefty relievers.
Oh, and don't worry one bit. The Braves will score runs. The only change in the record-setting lineup is in left field where Jarred Kelenic and Adam Duvall will platoon and replace Eddie Rosario. Even if Kelenic flops, the Braves will have no trouble going to Duvall for more at bats.
Ronald Acuna, Jr., Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Marcell Ozuna, Orlando Arcia and the catching duo of Sean Murphy and Travis d'Arnaud will make sure plenty of runs cross home plate. And by moving up to sixth in the batting order, Michael Harris may be ready to take that next step in becoming a star.
Fourteen of the 26 players on Atlanta's opening day roster have made at least one MLB All-Star team. There's a reason the players got to spring training in Florida and said, “World Series or bust.” They know how good they could be this season.
This team might not score as many as last year, but do you think even if they only score five runs per game they are going to struggle? Not with this pitching staff. And that's why the roster that takes the field Thursday may actually be the best in the 59 years of Atlanta Braves baseball.
Listen to The Bill Shanks Show weekdays at 3:00 pm ET on TheSuperStations.com and on 104.3 FM in Savannah. Email Bill at TheBillShanksShow@yahoo.com.