REDESIGN, REBUILD, RECLAIM: THE BRAVES PATH TO REGAIN NL EAST SUPREMACY

[bravesfan1984]

Chop til you drop! Welcome to my 2018 Atlanta Braves franchise, where we look to reclaim what is ours, the NL East! The veteran leadership of Freeman, Markakis, Teheran paired with the exciting youth of Albies, Acuna, Newcomb, and Folty, in addition to the deep farm system, have us primed to breakout and return to our glory days of dominating the NL East and more!


Stay tuned, Opening Day is right around the corner, so get your tomahawks ready, clear your throats, and let's bring the noise with the TOMAHAWK CHOP!!!!

[bravesfan1984]

Re: REDESIGN, REBUILD, RECLAIM: THE BRAVES PATH TO REGAIN NL EAST SUPREMACY

Braves take 2 of 3 from the Phillies in the opening series of 2018. After a somewhat quiet first 2 games with the bats, they awoke in the rubber match, as the offense pounded out 19 hits.



The goal for the season is to think short term and concentrate on winning each series as they come. Objective completed for series 1 of the season. The Braves have an off day and then welcome in the Nationals for a 3 game series. Games in April are just as important as the ones in September, so the Braves look to get off on the right foot against the Nationals.

[bravesfan1984]

Re: REDESIGN, REBUILD, RECLAIM: THE BRAVES PATH TO REGAIN NL EAST SUPREMACY

Swatting Nats!


The Braves take 2 of 3 from the Nationals and improve to 4-2 on the young season, tied for the division lead. The rubber game was not short of any drama, as Vizcaino loaded the bases but fortunately escaped after Rondon grounded into a game ending double play.



Not all went the Braves way though, as Inciarte hit the DL for 1-2 weeks with shoulder inflammation. In the meantime, the Braves will let Acuna handle CF and have called up Danny Santana. There will be a timeshare in LF between Santana, Tucker, and Bourjos.



The Braves have an off day up next, then head out to Colorado to begin a 9 game road trip. It's a tough stretch this early in the season, but the team hopes to build off the momentum of defeating the Nats in series 2.



Braves @ Rockies probables:
Game 1 Foltynewicz (1-0, 0.00)/Freeland (0-0, 1.50)
Game 2 McCarthy (0-0, 2.70)/Bettis (1-0, 1.50)
Game 3 Teheran (2-0, 2.77)/Musgrave (1-0, 0.00)

[bravesfan1984]

Re: REDESIGN, REBUILD, RECLAIM: THE BRAVES PATH TO REGAIN NL EAST SUPREMACY

CRUSHED IN COORS


The Braves started the series off with a win, but got demolished by a red hot Rockies offense in the final two games. The Braves know anytime you go out west and visit Coors, you better bring your bats and they failed to do so this time around. Salvaging atleast one win is something positive, but otherwise, the Braves are glad to be leaving Colorado ASAP.


Next series up, the Braves travel to the D.C. to take on the Nationals. Probables for the series:


Game 1 Newcomb (1-1, 6.94) / Hellickson (0-1, 1.50)
Game 2 Foltynewicz (1-0, 2.77) / Scherzer (1-1, 4.09)
Game 3 McCarthy (0-1, 7.59) / Strasburg (1-0, 1.20)


Tough pitching matchups for the Braves as they oppose the Nats top two starters. This could potentially be McCarthy's last turn through the rotation, as he's struggled mightily through 2 starts. Mike Soroka is a potential rotation candidate next week to replace McCarthy if the Braves decide on the option.