Friday Night Win Shows Why The Atlanta Braves Are Legit

The Atlanta Braves (34-23) dispatched the Nationals Friday night in dramatic fashion. How they did it shows why this team is a legitimate contender.

You keep wanting to tap those proverbial brakes. We remind each other, when talking about these Atlanta Braves, that “it’s still early”. And we’re correct. There is still a lot of season left. But our beloved Braves keep doing things that shake the foundation of that rationale. Friday night was no different. Atlanta beat rival Washington in dramatic fashion, and it was how they did it that points to a season-long relevancy.

The story from last night begins and ends with Folty. In short, Mike Foltynewicz was indomitable. It was the kind of performance that reminds one that dude could be, at his best, one of the top 10 pitchers in the League. His line reads: Complete game. 11 K, 1 BB. That’s all you need to know. His last two performances are going to start raising uncomfortable questions for Braves fans and the Atlanta Front Office. Trade deadline questions. Value questions.

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The only thing certain about that situation, is that Folty is dramatically raising his future price. Well, that, and the fact that he’s been top-tier these last few starts, and if he continues, Atlanta will benefit.

Another thing from the June 1st drubbing of Washington was the continued timely hitting. No baseball team ever has won a championship without an uncanny ability to hit well when it mattered most. That’s been a theme with these Braves all year.

Part of that “timely” description is the ability to bite down, keep grinding, keep focused, and hit well in the later innings. You get nine frames for a reason. The championship teams use all of them. That, also, has been a theme with these Braves. Last night, it was Dansby Swanson’s turn. His 3-run bomb to LF was a difference maker for the club, and a needed explosion for him. If he and Johan Camargo continue to heat up, that entire lineup can wreck a game.

It has become apparent that the Atlanta Braves are ahead of schedule, in terms of the rebuild, with position players. The defense and plate work aren’t perfect, but good luck playing those guys day in and day out.

The pitching has always been the glaring problem. With, Folty, Newk, and Teheran rounding into a legit 3-man rotation, and with young Soroka and Gohara showing promise, this team looks really, really dangerous.

That’s not even counting one of my favorite young pitchers, Kolby Allard. Dude can be special.

Friday night’s win was important for a number of reasons. Not the least of which is Divisional standings. But also for more specific reasons. How they won, and continue to win, shows this team is a legitimate contender for the entire year.

It is certainly surprising. It’s also a breath of fresh air. You can tell, too. STP was rockin’ last night.

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