The San Diego Padres are responsible for the Atlanta Braves' early-season spiral that ended with the team getting its first win at 0-7. A season-opening sweep from the Padres pushed the Braves into a desperation move and made this weekend's series of special importance.
This time, however, Atlanta will have the benefit of its best player with Ronald Acuña Jr. making a well-timed return on Friday night. It is the perfect moment for the Braves to return the early-season favor and find a defining sweep of their own.
With this in mind, the Padres look to be an easy target, having lost six in a row and having major dysfunction within their own clubhouse. Pundit and former minor leaguer Ben Verlander revealed that a confrontation erupted in the San Diego clubhouse, with the team's leadership being questioned. While it is purely speculative, this would appear to point to either Manny Machado. The only other veterans of note are Luis Arraez and Jason Heyward. Neither player has the tenure or level of production that Machado offers.
San Diego's Dysfunction Hands the Braves a Golden Revenge Opportunity
No matter who the players involved were, it is unquestionably a bad look for the organization. It only adds to the recent frustration that has the Padres free-falling in the National League standings. Not only this, but having the confrontation leak out of the clubhouse only offers further evidence that not all is well for the franchise.
For Atlanta, this serves as a great opportunity and potential distraction for a difficult matchup. It would be fitting for the Braves to hand the team that ruined their opening series a sweep in return. Pushing the Padres further down into the National League and pushing themselves back into the postseason race.
No matter how the series goes, the news of the scuffle is going to be a consistent topic throughout the weekend. A team that was expected to challenge the Dodgers and among the league's top contenders, having this level of leak and dysfunction is alarming for the organization and its fans. On the flip side, it serves as an opportunity for the Braves for some much-needed revenge and the chance to welcome back the face of the franchise in a fitting fashion.