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Atlanta Braves: Contenders Halfway Through Season?

By Jonathan Savitske

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The second half of the  MLB season began Sunday for the Atlanta Braves as they played their 82nd game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field.

At this juncture of the season, Atlanta’s record stands at 40-42, only two games under .500, and only 6 games behind the NL East leading Washington Nationals.

-= Related: Freddie Freeman Injury Update: Not Good News! =-

Many fans left the Atlanta Braves for dead after the myriad of moves by President of Baseball Operations John Hart this offseason. Following the trades of Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, and coup de grâce that was the trade of fan favorite Craig Kimbrel to the San Diego Padres the evening before the first game of the 2015 season.

Hart signed experienced free agents such as  Nick Markakis, Jonny Gomes, and Kelly Johnson, injected the farm system and starting lineup with youth, and bolstered the pitching depth of the organization with the addition of prospects such as Shelby Miller, Matt Wisler, and Mike Foltynewicz.

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Under Hart’s administration, the Atlanta Braves got significantly younger, strikeout rates diminished, and hitters are making more consistent contact with the baseball when at the plate. Pundits nationally predicted the Braves would hover near the bottom of the NL East this season, never giving the team a chance to at the very least contend for a playoff spot.

Jul 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez (33) walks to the mound against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field. The Phillies defeated the Braves 4-0 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Hart was adamant this offseason that the Atlanta Braves would still have their sights sent on the postseason, despite losing most of their offensive contributors from last season — much to the disbelief of fans and pundits everywhere.

Now at the halfway point of the 2015 season, the Atlanta Braves have exceeded most expectations placed on them at the beginning of the campaign, and despite their .500 record, are in a place to potentially contend for a playoff spot in a division bereft of a clear front-runner and premier competition.

The question is how realistic is it to think that the Atlanta Braves actually have a shot of appearing in the playoffs this season, considering a lackluster but overall better record than expected in the pre-season and a youthful but effective starting rotation?

Though a playoff spot may seem attainable, in it reality it is not a realistic goal for this Atlanta Braves club. A playoff team must have a starting rotation that can pitch deep into games, an offense that provides timely hitting, and a bullpen that can effectively shut down an opponent.

At this cross-section of the 2015 MLB Season, the Atlanta Braves only have one, maybe two of those three requisite characteristics of a playoff team. The Braves starting rotation has been good, but question marks exist without a proven veteran. The Braves offense has been solid this season, but with first baseman Freddie Freeman‘s extended absence from Fredi Gonzalez’s lineup, the offense has not been able to provide the Atlanta Braves starting rotation with enough run support to win ball games.

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The Atlanta Braves biggest deficiency is in their bullpen, which ranks in the lower third of Major League relief corps. The most significant argument against why the Braves will not reach the postseason is the ineffectiveness of their relief pitchers, who have often blown significant leads for the ball-club and led to demoralizing defeats.

Halfway through the season, it is still unlikely that the Atlanta Braves will be able to secure a playoff spot. However, with the return of reliever Arodys Vizcaino to bolster the bullpen, and the return of the Braves best offensive player in Freddie Freeman after the All-Star break, there is a chance that the club could make a surprising run.

Stranger things have happened, and a magical campaign from now until October could energize the city in a way that has not happened since 1991.

Next: Atlanta Braves Take On Brewers at Miller Park

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