Atlanta Braves: Five Ways They Can Compete in 2018

1. The puzzle pieces must finally come together in Atlanta

For the Atlanta Braves to be in the Wild Card race this season the aforementioned things must happen as well as the pieces of the puzzle finally coming together for Atlanta.

Atlanta has had a long string of bad luck, from the failure of top prospects to the lack of ability to pull the trigger on team changing trades it has been a long three years for Braves’ fans.

This season for that to changes players like Mike Folynewicz and Tyler Flowers will have to overachieve and help lead a young core to victories.

The bullpen must be able to close out games without save blowing artist Jim Johnson in the back of the bullpen.

Offensively finding consistency and learning to create runs without a powerful homerun hitting lineup will be key. Ender Inciarte and Freddie Freeman will be looked at to set the tone for the offense and help lead the young offensive core in plate discipline.

Ozzie Albies and Dansby Swanson will have to show growth and continue the defensive connection that they seemed to share last season as a starting infield combo. No doubt many things must fall in the Braves favor for them to compete in 2018 but stranger things have happened and it is time for good baseball to again be played in Atlanta.