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Riding their upstart youngsters and a team that exceeded expectations earlier than expected, the Atlanta Braves cruised through the 2018 regular season on their way to winning the National League East divisional crown, something they had not won since 2013. While experts knew that the Braves would have a solid season, not many thought that they were bound for the playoffs once opening day commenced.
On the backs of budding superstars Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies, coupled with solid pitching and a cast of veterans longing to return to the playoffs, the Braves made some noise in the postseason, but ultimately fell to the eventual NL champs, the Los Angeles Dodgers. While losing to the team that made it to the World Series is a slight ray of light on a season, it did not give the team enough solace, and their goals for 2019 are now set much higher.
Contending for the World Series in the NL has just gotten much more difficult, as the arms race with the big guns has become much more difficult.
The NL Central boasts three likely playoff candidates, as the Milwaukee Brewers (who are looking to repeat as division champs), the Chicago Cubs (who want to put their Wild Card debacle in the past) and the St. Louis Cardinals (who added Paul Goldschmidt and Andrew Miller) all have their own paths that they can forge to making the postseason.
In the West, the Dodgers look strong again and primed to make it back to the championship series, the San Diego Padres hauled in one of the big superstar free agents in Manny Machado, and the Colorado Rockies kept the vast majority of their big pieces in trying to make it back to the playoffs.
Out of the East, the Braves face the most competition from the Washington Nationals (who while losing Bryce Harper brought in Patrick Corbin) and the Philadelphia Phillies (who have made their uniform providers busy with the roster turnover). The New York Mets made big moves in bringing in both Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz, but are forced to ride their pitching staff too much to be successful.
And while technically the Miami Marlins are in this division, think of them as the Quadruple-A squad that does not have a level in the minor leagues to be a part of. Moving right along.
Here are five reasons why the Braves are serious World Series contenders in 2019.
Hungry for more
While making it into the postseason last year, the team barely put up a fight to a tough Dodgers squad, only winning one game in the five-game set. Their pitching staff seemed beleaguered and was not the same come playoff time, and due to its inexperienced rookies, they seemed out of place in the spotlight.
With having postseason experience now under their belt, this team is hungry to make sure their presence is known by making it back to the playoffs. While not adding any big-time pieces this offseason, the team returned most of its core (except for Josh Donaldson), an underrated move was bringing back Nick Markakis. The ex-Baltimore Orioles outfielder has been a solid contributor for the Braves, helping steady its young core on its journey to the playoffs.
Willingness to spend
Signing Donaldson, who fought through many bouts of injuries last season, for a one-year deal worth $23 million is a big-time commitment for a veteran who seems to be having issues staying on the diamond. More known for his offensive output, Donaldson will be counted on to be a middle of the road contributor for this squad, while also sewing up their infield defensively.
They have also been tied to Dallas Keuchel, the former Astros starter who is still currently on the market. The rumor is that they, along with the Brewers, have been tracking his progress and have each offered him a deal, with the Brewers giving him a three-year deal. The Braves have reportedly countered by throwing the most money at him in a potential deal, but that may not be enough to get him to come to Atlanta. Either way, this shows the team’s commitment to winning and the fact that they are not afraid to spend if it means competing.
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Dansby Swanson’s turnaround
Once labeled as the next best thing at shortstop, Swanson was thrown into the spotlight probably too early on in his young career, and he could not handle the pressure he faced in Atlanta. Being forced down into a few stints in the minors, Swanson came back last season and was much more refined, better offensively while more consistent in the field.
Swanson will be key to the team’s development, as he will help shore up the left side of the infield and help balance the defense with Donaldson at the hot corner. If Donaldson was to get injured, more of the pressure would again fall on Swanson, but he is more than capable of handling it.
Ol’ vet Brian McCann back for more
Having the former Atlanta backstop back to work with the pitching staff is a great move for this franchise, as he is familiar with the playoffs and how to handle pressure. Having been with both the New York Yankees and Astros since he was in Atlanta, McCann has dealt with his fair share of staffs and knows how to handle different types of hurlers.
McCann is one of the more underrated moves of the offseason, and combining him with incumbent Tyler Flowers will give the team a good one-two punch for offense and defense to help with any in-game switches that need to happen too. Flowers can help keep McCann’s legs fresh too, an important tool come playoff time.
Albies, not Acuna, more important
While everyone knows Acuna’s name, Albies is the lesser known player but who will have a bigger role in 2019. Shoring up the infield with Albies and Swanson up the middle is key to help back up the pitching staff, and will need to shift more this season with Donaldson’s limited mobility at the hot corner.
Offensively, Albies’ speed and bat to both fields will take pressure off both Acuna and cornerstone Freddie Freeman, and he has the potential to have a huge season at the plate. While he did hit .261 with 24 home runs, don’t be surprised if he tops 30 homers and 100 RBIs on his way to helping this team get back to the playoffs.
Acuna’s role is not to be forgotten in Atlanta’s scheme of things, but ultimately Albies will get better pitches to hit and should become a bigger factor into Atlanta’s offense in 2019.
