Schedule Will Test Atlanta Braves Right Off The Bat

On the eve of MLB Opening Day, the Atlanta Braves garner a cautious optimism from Braves Country. The early schedule will test that feeling.

The recent ferment of optimism about the Atlanta Braves is not unfounded. Freeman, Inciarte, Markakis all return. Both productive Catchers are there. Young position players and Pitchers have now worked their way up to the bigs to show what they can do. The early word is positive. There’s a buzz with this team, and the vibes are good.  The early part of the schedule will test that sentiment.

Power Rankings aren’t necessarily indicative of what a team has or where it will end up. The MLB season is one of the longer seasons, and even though it isn’t as brutal a game as basketball, hockey, or football, it is a long hot punishing slog.

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But they are somewhat instructive. Ideally, the folks who put those things out know something about what they are dishing. One reason why I don’t try my hand at that exercise. That and I have better things to do, frankly.

The Atlanta Braves open 2018 with a three game set with Philly. Now, they haven’t been great, recently. But the general expectation is that they will improve significantly. Young talent aging, and the acquisition of pitching points to that conclusion. A recent Power Ranking has them at 18 out of 30 MLB teams. Atlanta begins at 25 in that same listing.

As April unwinds, the Braves then face Washington (5), Colorado (10), Washington, the Chicago Cubs (2), Philly (again), the NY Mets (16), Cincinnati (25), and Philly (again).

In short, there are two main takeaways. One, how Atlanta fares against Philadelphia will go a long way in determining what, if any, success the Braves enjoy. Two, that schedule ain’t easy, and we’ll find out quickly how improved the Braves’ Pitching Rotation has become.

Live baseball is one day away. Folks are justifiably excited. The month of April will be a quick test of that fanfare.

Next: 81 Is Realistic And Reachable For These Atlanta Braves