Atlanta Braves: Opening Second Half Against Arizona

The Atlanta Braves will open up the second half of their season this weekend against the surprise contending Arizona Diamondbacks. The D-backs sit above the Braves in the wildcard race making this series an important one.

Every series is now important for the Atlanta as they sit on the edge of contending in the wildcard race.  Their first challenge after the break will be taking on an Arizona team that is sitting above them in the wildcard race and is a must win series for the Braves.

If the team has not decided already to go into selling mode they certainly would if the Braves were to drop a series or two coming out of the break. While it may not be in the best interest of the team long term to contend now it is certainly more entertaining for the fans and what everyone is pulling for.

Facing the D-backs will be a challenge for the Braves pitching staff considering the offensive talent that the team has. The D-backs lineup will challenge a Braves staff that has struggled at times and will try to help Julio Teheran get back on track.

After looking like a borderline ace for most of his career Teheran has struggled this season allowing a lot of homers early and not lasting in games. The key to the Braves second half will be two-fold first is Julio Teheran going to get back to the pitcher we are accustomed to seeing on the mound.

The second as to whether the young core of Freddie Freeman, Dansby Swanson, and Sean Newcomb can step up and produce at the levels they are capable of. If both those things happen and the Braves continue to refuse to become sellers it would not be surprising to see this team climb back into a wildcard race that has plenty to be decided.