Atlanta Braves Five Opening Day Observations

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 28: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies stands in the dugout before the game against the Atlanta Braves on Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park on March 28, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

5. The Phillies Are Good

The Phillies did the most of any NL East team this offseason. Bryce Harper was the flashy name, but the team added J.T. Realmuto, Jean Segura, and a host of others through trades and free agency. The Phillies are going for it this season.

That much is evident. And I know I said no overreactions, but the Phillies looked good yesterday. It was the Phillies, not the Nationals, who pushed the Braves last season for the division title. This year seems like the year the Phillies will overtake the Braves.

It’s still one game, so it’s not time to panic yet, but if the Braves offseason is compared to the Phillies, Atlanta is miles behind.

This Braves team barely squeaked out the division last season, due mostly to Ronald Acuna and a Phillies late-season collapse. The Braves can’t count on that to happen again. If the Braves have any hope of repeating as division champs, then they will have to play a lot better baseball the rest of the series and year.

Next. Braves Off-season Targets. dark

The Braves feasted on NL East opponents last season, that’s how they were able to get out to such a big divisional lead last season. It doesn’t feel like the Braves will have that same fortune this year with the improvements the Phillies, Mets, and Nationals have made. If the Braves don’t pull it together quickly, they could find themselves near the bottom of the NL East this season.

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