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Atlanta Braves: Five Reasons They Can Be Surprise Contenders

By Kit Anderson

Apr 16, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) celebrates after he hit a solo home run as San Diego Padres catcher Hector Sanchez (44) is shown on the play in the seventh inning of their game at SunTrust Park. The Braves won 9-2. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) celebrates after he hit a solo home run as San Diego Padres catcher Hector Sanchez (44) is shown on the play in the seventh inning of their game at SunTrust Park. The Braves won 9-2. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Braves
Feb 15, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Jim Johnson (53) throws the ball during MLB spring training workouts at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
  1. Can the Bullpen Limit the Damage?

The Atlanta Braves bullpen started out awful and since has pitched shutdown innings and carried the Braves to last week’s win streak.  The bullpen is a mix and match group of veterans that are trying to rebound and young arms with upside.

Jim Johnson is the closer for the moment and has had his struggles over the past few years. Tight games are going to be the norm for Atlanta considering their offense is good but not going to blow any other team off the field. Johnson is going to have to continue to play well and lock down the 9th inning.

The Braves need Vizcaino and Jose Ramirez are going to have to continue to lock down the 7th and 8th innings as well and play at the high level they are capable of.

Next: Braves Off-season Targets

The Braves rebuild is coming to an end and may prove to be over this season, this is a team that if everything goes correctly has a chance to stay in the wildcard race. If they can maintain their current level of play through the next few months the Braves could still be relevant come September.

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