The Atlanta Braves have started the season 8-1. They’ve won blowouts and walk-offs. The best part? They aren’t even firing on all cylinders. They are getting contributions from the deeper parts of their roster, like journeyman Evan Gattis and semi-prodigal son Jordan Schafer. Yes, new super-talent Justin Upton is going off in an MVP-type way, but big brother BJ has been silent as has Jason Heyward. The three headed monster of an outfield has been without two of its heads. To make this run even more impressive, they’ve done it without five-time All-Star Brian McCann and young stud first baseman Freddie Freeman. Simply put, The Atlanta Braves Are Better Than Everyone Else right now, and it’s only going to get better.
When the Braves traded for Justin Upton this winter, everyone knew the talent. We all knew that the former No. 1 overall pick could be as good as anyone in the game. In 2011, at the age of 23, he was. Last year, Upton’s grit (or rather lack thereof) led to a falling out with the Arizona brass and he was shipped to Atlanta for some grit. Justin Upton is playing like a man out to prove something. He’s clobbered six homers and hit another ball 420 feet in Miami.
Perhaps the most telling moment of the young season for me as a Braves fan was an infield pop-up. J-Up appeared to be sitting on the pitch (I believe it was an outside curveball–a good pitch) with two outs and a runner on first. The younger Upton just missed the pitch and popped it up and slammed his bat to the ground, breaking it out of frustration, before running down to first base. The moment could be seen by some as one of immaturity. Instead, I saw the slamming as a sign of a guy who is both locked in–to the point that missing the pitch he wanted is personally inexcusable–and of someone who is chomping at the bit for success, both as a team and an individual. It was a telling moment. Justin Upton is on a mission and there is a desire for excellence in that clubhouse.
As for how they’re winning, the Braves can thank Upton’s hot start, sure. But more importantly, the Braves lead the Majors with a 1.89 team ERA. Paul Maholm hasn’t allowed a run yet this year and Mike Minor has looked like he’ll continue his hot string of starts. The bullpen has been the best in baseball, allowing a 1.65 ERA and has not really missed a beat without setup man Jonny Venters. In my Atlanta Braves Season Preview I raised questions about the rotation and the possibility that this group may not be all that good. So far, they’ve been just fine.
The Braves open up a three game set with the Nationals tonight, and I’m looking forward to the first in what should be a great matchup of divisional rivals all summer. Consider all the great things that the Braves have done over the season’s first nine, and now think about how the Nationals are 7-2 and sport the third best record in the Majors.
But this is about the Braves. They’ve proven already this year that they are capable of playing really good baseball without contributions from Jason Heyward, Brian McCann, BJ Upton, or Freddie Freeman, four of the would-be faces of the franchise. You can even look at the standings if you don’t believe me.
-Sean Morash
Stat of the Day: Nationals relievers currently sport a 5.76 ERA.
