Atlanta Braves: All But Eliminated, Hope Remains

The Atlanta Braves began the year 6-1, surprising fans and pundits alike with their hot start.

By the time the middle of April rolled around, the Atlanta Braves had cooled off, just like everyone expected them to during the season. Though the Atlanta Braves have hovered around .500 all year, they have remained competitive against all odds. Even as recently as two weeks ago, the team was only 6.5 games back of the division leading New York Mets.

The offense has struggled throughout the year, and so has the bullpen; but the starting pitching for the most part has been excellent, keeping the Braves in games all year long. Kevin Seitzer‘s strategy of putting the ball in play has also helped the Atlanta Braves marginally improve their offense this season, going from 29th in runs scored in 2014 to 27th in runs scored in 2014.

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While this is certainly progress from last year’s dismal offense, the Atlanta Braves are still in the lower echelon of National League clubs offensively — currently 8th out of 15 teams with a 2.53 batting average. The Braves are also dead last in the National League in home-runs with only 73 on the year.

The bullpen is even worse off, possessing a 4.17 ERA which is 14th in the National League out of 15 teams — ahead of only the Colorado Rockies. The Atlanta Braves might have ten more wins right now if the bullpen didn’t blow so many games. Braves fans, you know how bad it has been this season.

Though the Braves record is not horrendous (considering the roster renovation of John Hart this past offseason), I only see the club being better than a few teams in the National League: the Philadelphia Phillies, Miami Marlins, Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. That’s it. Alas, we all must accept at this point that there is no hope for the Atlanta Braves this season, and that they will miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

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Fans of the Atlanta Braves should not lose hope and wallow in self pity on a nightly basis though, as there is still much to cheer for on this year’s club. We get to see a young and formidable starting rotation on a nightly basis, giving us a glimpse of future greatness. We witness the development of young position players like Jace Peterson, who are poised to be a part of the Atlanta Braves lineup for years to come. We watch players like Cameron Maybin revitalize their careers and realizing their full potential, as well as seasoned veterans like A.J. Pierzynski, who at 38-years-old is still a lot of fun to watch. Finally, we can still root for our long-time favorite players like Freddie Freeman and Andrelton Simmons.

Though the season may be lost (barring an incredible Angels in the Outfield type of run in the final month of the season), all Braves fans should continue to watch this team and cheer for not only where they are now, but the direction they are going. Patience is a virtue, and that patience will be rewarded in a year or two for all Atlanta Braves fans.

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