We Continue To Learn More About These Atlanta Braves
By W. M. Lawson
The Atlanta Braves (49-34) took one from the Yankees in New York late Monday night. With every game, and series, we learn more about this team.
I realize that it is entirely pedantic to assert that, “With every game, and series, we learn more about this team.”, when it comes to our Atlanta Braves. That’s technically true of every team, in every sport, for every fan, in every continent. But, who cares about those teams right now? This is about the Braves, and it is true that we learn more about this team with every page on the calendar.
Inherent in that statement is the knowledge that the team is young. Especially, when Acuna is in the lineup. We didn’t know what this team would look like in early July. We hoped. Nobody knew.
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One of the possibilities, at the beginning of the season, was that we would already know what this team could be by early July. That’s not true. Nobody knows. But in a good way.
Meaning, this team is streaky. But not in a Fredi G. and Frank Wren kind of way where they lose nine games in a row. This team is streaky in the sense that they will win 3 series in a row, then somehow lose a series to Baltimore and San Diego, each.
Atlanta is a team that, when they are hitting and vibing, they can beat anyone. They can certainly play with anyone. Atlanta is also a team that, every now and then, throws out legit quality pitching. When those two are coupled, they go on a tear. When they aren’t, and the team isn’t vibing, they split a series against lowly Cincy.
Streaky, but not in the usual way we think of it. Most streaks depend on a few players. Most streaks depend on the schedule. Neither is true for the Braves.
Monday night’s win, in 11 innings, at the New York Yankees, was the latest exposition of this reality. ATL has won 4 games in a row. All on the road. They swept St. Louis at their place (Cards fans are not happy). Then, they took the first of 3 games in NY. The Yankees are the best team in MLB right now.
That’s significant, because Atlanta had just dropped two home series to the sub-par Orioles and Reds. Those aren’t teams you should lose to at home. No offense to those folks.
One thing that we are learning about this team is that there is no quit. The doldrums that are always a part of a long, arduous baseball season, don’t last long for these precocious Braves. They keep playing. They pick themselves up.
That last part is an integral lesson, when playing the game of baseball. And, you pick your teammate up. This team does both.
My brother, “the General 8”, who knows MLB and our Braves, texted last night and said that a particular “at-bat” for Suzuki was, “the at-bat of the year for us” . Strong statement. But, he might be right.
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Do not discount what this NY series means for the Braves. It doesn’t mean everything, but it means something. A series win here, and everyone, including every honest fan, and every honest sports writer (ha!), has to come to one particular realization:
Holy Crap. The Atlanta Braves are for real.