It was clear from the first inning that Atlanta starter Chris Sale didn't have his best stuff in Thursday's opener. Still, Sale hung in and limited a good Padres lineup to three runs and would exit with the Braves leading 4-3, needing the bullpen to hold on. Atlanta wouldn't score again, losing the season opener 7-4 with the Padres controlling the rest of the game.
The loss is squarely on the shoulders of what appears to be a concerningly thin bullpen.
Among the concerns facing the Braves was how the team would carry a lead in the middle innings. A reliable closer and a setup option were all Atlanta had to rely on. This isn't typical of an Atlanta front office that historically has prioritized a deep bullpen. The lack of attention to the unit resulted in Hector Neris and Aaron Bummer being the go-to options in a one-run game in the season's first game. The results were predictably frustrating, and Atlanta wouldn't be able to stage a comeback.
The Braves' Lack of Bullpen Depth is a Clear Flaw
It is only one game in a very long season and Atlanta still is a clear National League contender. However, to pretend that having Neris in a one-run game with the full power of the bullpen available isn't alarming would be disingenuous. There is a reason the Braves opted to bring in late additions in former closer Craig Kimbrel and consistent Atlanta trade target Jessie Chavez.
Atlanta is left hoping that aging veterans will be able to turn back the clock and contribute at a high level. There is an argument to be made that manager Brian Snitker made a mistake putting Neris in, the counter to this is asking who is the more proven answer? Your closer isn't coming in for that situation, and only Pierce Johnson is a clearly superior option. The veteran setup man was expected to be the option for the 8th inning.
This left Snitker gambling on who the best option is among a concerning list of options. This game isn't an outlier or simply a bullpen adjusting to Opening Day. It was a warning sign that this Braves bullpen is in trouble.
Trouble that is only going to pass if Kimbrel and Chavez can both become legitimate options out of the pen. Otherwise, the Braves are in for a frustrating season, one relying on the hope that GM Alex Anthopoulos can work some magic to fix a problem the pending returns of Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna Jr. aren't going to fix.