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Atlanta Braves Will Again be Division Underdogs in 2019

By Kit Anderson

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 29: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves turns a double play as Aaron Altherr #23 of the Philadelphia Phillies slides under the throw in the sixth inning during a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 29, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves won 10-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 29: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves turns a double play as Aaron Altherr #23 of the Philadelphia Phillies slides under the throw in the sixth inning during a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 29, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves won 10-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Braves will head into the 2019 season as underdogs yet again. A position they should be comfortable in after a shocking division win in the 2018 season.

The Atlanta Braves are unsurprisingly coming into the season as the 3rd and in some cases 4th favorite team to win their division. A year after running away with their division late Atlanta isn’t even being picked to make the postseason by some pundits.

While this may be difficult for some Braves fans it is the right move considering the boom or bust ability this roster has. If everything were to go perfectly the Braves offense will easily carry a below average bullpen and an unproven rotation.

If Josh Donaldson were to get injured again and Ozzie Albies failed to take a step forward you are looking at a different offense.

The underdog mentality is one Atlanta should be used to and one they have earned with a quiet off-season. Outside of Josh Donaldson, the team has remained silent on the free agent market opting to develop their own talent.

A good strategy if not for the fact the Braves had told their fanbase this would be the off-season they would spend. So now as we sit the day before the season begins Atlanta once again will head into the season as division underdogs.

Deservingly so when you look at all the question marks in their rotation and in their lineup. This team has the ability to be a top-five team in baseball just as they have the pieces to collapse and fail to play .500 ball in 2019.

Outside of Freddie Freeman, this club is full of question marks. Will Julio Teheran bounce back or continue his inconsistencies? Will Dansby Swanson finally take a step forward?  Will Josh Donaldson and Mike Foltynewicz stay healthy?  You get the idea, this is a team with more question marks than knowns.

Looking at the Phillies and Nationals rosters you have more established veterans you know you can count on.

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Meaning Atlanta will be fighting an uphill battle if they don’t improve their roster before the trading deadline. If not it will be a disappointing season for Atlanta in 2019 one that isn’t ending in a division title.

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