Atlanta Braves Five Reasons They Can Compete in 2018

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: Ender Inciarte
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: Ender Inciarte /
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Atlanta Braves
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 29: Freddie Freeman /

3. No Long Disabled List Stints for Freddie Freeman 

The Braves team is built to survive most injuries with good depth and plenty of options at almost every position with the exception of one, first base.

Freddie Freeman is off to a great start yet again this season getting on base at a .500 clip and working pitch counts and taking his walks giving chances to the rest of the lineup.

The Braves ranking third in the MLB in runs scored speaks to a complete offensive effort but without Freeman, the lineup falls apart.  He is the glue holding the offense together because of his ability to get on base and the fear he puts in opposing pitchers.

While it is a long season and injuries are bound to happen for the Braves to continue to compete this season Freeman must stay healthy avoiding any long DL stints that would force the Braves to come up with another long-term solution at the position as they did last season with Matt Adams.

Freddie Freeman is the heartbeat of the Atlanta lineup and if the team wants to continue the early surge he must stay healthy and productive for the majority if not all of the 2018 season.