Atlanta Braves: Sweep The Diamondbacks out of Town

The Atlanta Braves finished off the Diamondbacks at SunTrust park completing the sweep. While it may only be three games the sweep of a wildcard rival is one that sends a message to the front office close to the trade deadline.

For an Atlanta Braves fan it may be easy to buy in to the surge that the Braves have shown in the first three games back it is important to remember that this team’s schedule is still one of the toughest in the League. Not only that but even after sweeping the front running D-backs in the wildcard race the Braves still sit six games back.

To be able to claim a wildcard spot the Braves would need to pass two of the three teams ahead of them, the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Sitting  six games back may not seem all that much but when you consider the talent on the rosters ahead of the Braves it will be interesting to see if they can hang in the race.

The Cubs sit above the Braves and will be the next team that the Braves will take on starting Monday before they head to take on the Dodgers for four. Considering the level of competition that the Braves will be facing Atlanta should soon have their definitive answer as to whether or not they will hang in the race.

Regardless, the Braves should focus on selling some pieces off of their roster while they can. Jaime Garcia should be moved for any return that can be gotten as well as clearing several bench spaces to accommodate for the Braves suddenly crowded infield.

The sweep of the Diamondbacks is exciting and a step in the right direction for the Braves but it does not change what their focus should be or whether or not they can truly contend this season.