Atlanta Braves And The Entire NL East Better Than In Recent Years
By W. M. Lawson
The Atlanta Braves (26-16) currently cling to a one game lead in the NL East Division. That means more this year than in years of recent past.
There have been a number of articles and columns in regional and national media lately about our Division leading Atlanta Braves. A lot of that attention has focused on the young talent that is emerging before our eyes with every series played. Some of it has focused on how the City of Atlanta has responded with attendance and TV ratings. It’s all true. There is something else, though, that speaks to an undercurrent of media attention. The Braves’ lead, this far into the season, means something, because the National League Eastern Division is much better as a whole.
What the Atlanta Braves have done, so far, has been impressive. Some can try to waive it away or dismiss it, but they do that risking damage to whatever reputation they might have for being accurate.
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There are only three teams in all of MLB that sport a higher win total and/or a higher win percentage than Atlanta. In fact, the Braves have been able to do that on the back of flaccid and milquetoast home record of (9-8). They’ll try to better that record tonight against Chicago. And don’t me started there.
The other thing is that, while on the road, it isn’t like Atlanta’s schedule has been easy. They’ve played tough teams, on the road, in miserable weather, and have won. Only two teams on the schedule, to this point, have a losing record.
The larger point here, though, is that the Division is much better than in years past. Much of the early part of Atlanta’s schedule, which has been pretty tough, has been against Divisional rivals. That’s called correlation and causation.
As of today, the win totals for NL East Division teams are as follows: ATL-26, PHI-24, Wash-24, NY-20, MIA-16.
Now, as of May 31, 2017, the win totals for those same teams were as follows: ATL-22, PHI-17, Wash-33, NY-23, MIA-21.
That was May 31st. We have two weeks of baseball left before we reach that date in 2018.
The NL East, as a whole, is way more competitive than in recent years, and certainly better than last year. Couple that with the insane road schedule that ATL has faced, and their record, and Divisional lead, look that much better.
Now, if they can just win at home. That would be super.