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Atlanta Braves: The Upcoming Stretch Before The All Star Break Presents Golden Opportunity

By Wesley Wilcox

May 3, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker (43) is shown in the dugout in the fourth inning of their game against the New York Mets at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker (43) is shown in the dugout in the fourth inning of their game against the New York Mets at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Braves are set for an easy stretch of games. Can they continue the roll that they have been on for the last two weeks?

With a little over two weeks away, the Atlanta Braves are set to endure one of the toughest stretches of the season heading into the All Star Game. With the conclusion of this weekends series against the NL Central leading Milwaukee Brewers the Braves will head out west for series against the San Diego Padres (30-44) and the Oakland Athletics (32-42).

The trip out west is one that Atlanta not only needs, but one they need to take advantage of. All season long the Braves have found ways to play up to the level of their opposition, and have floundered against teams below .500.

After taking Friday nights game against the Brewers, the Braves have the chance to clinch their fourth consecutive series. With meetings against the A’s and the Padres, the Braves will not only have a golden opportunity of potentially winning their fifth and sixth consecutive series, but inch closer to the .500 mark.

The Washington Nationals (44-29) have not been as impressive as their record shows, plain and simple. This team is just the best in a division that consist of multiple rebuilding organizations, and nothing more, which is why the Braves are still very much in contention for the NL East.

Once the road trip out west concludes the Braves will play host to the Houston Astros (50-25) who currently hold the best record in baseball. While it’s only a two game set it’s also a measuring stick to see just how good this Atlanta squad is this season. The Astros have played some of the best baseball all season long, and amassed one of the leagues longest winning streaks at 11 games this season.

Then comes the final series of the first half of the season when Atlanta visits the Washington Nationals. The Braves and Nationals are knotted up at 4-4 against one another this season with the Braves taking the last two series, and this will set the tone for the second half of the year. Not only does this series carry serious weight for the NL East, but also allows the Braves one last opportunity to punch the Nationals in the face (non pun intended Harper).

With all that being said, the Braves have a real opportunity to get back to .500, and even above .500 before the All Star break. If this team continues to play the phenomenal baseball that they have shown Braves Country winning 8 of their last 11 games then something magical may be on its way for the Braves.

The Braves will need to take care of business against teams the likes of the  A’s and the Padres in order to be taken seriously. The Astros and the Nationals will be no cakewalk for the Braves to conclude the first half, but you can’t help but be anxious to see if the Braves can shock the MLB and be .500 at the half way point.

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