Fans of the Atlanta Braves awoke on Monday morning with their group one recreation clear of clinching the National League East Division for a 5th instantly season. Despite what they could let you know, now not even probably the most dependable Braves fanatics would’ve imagined October may just get started so candy.
Atlanta ended remaining week with a three-game sweep of the New York Mets and started this week with a file of 100-59 and a two-game merit over the Mets in the NL East race. At the time of this writing, the Bravos had a magic collection of one to clinch the East. Since the magic quantity is down to a measly one recreation, I’m going to write this column assuming that Atlanta received no less than considered one of 3 as opposed to Miami or that the Mets misplaced no less than one to Washington.
If a type of issues didn’t occur…if the Braves enter the playoffs as a wild card group as a substitute of as department champ, neatly then, fee it to the sport. I can be the primary to carry a hand and take duty for jinxing them.
Before we glance forward to what’s subsequent for Atlanta, let’s take a second to admire what this group has finished simply to arrive at this level. The Mets had a 79% likelihood to win the NL East getting into the weekend collection in Atlanta, in accordance to Fan Graphs. By the time New York was once swept, the Braves had a 98% likelihood at successful the department.
The Braves completely stole the department from the Mets. New York didn’t choke this one away, despite the fact that that’s at all times a delightful narrative for Atlanta fanatics.
On June 1, the Mets held a comfy 10.5 recreation merit in the department and Atlanta fanatics had been pondering extra about Freddie Freeman than anything. From June 1 via October 2, the Braves put in combination a file of 76-32 (.704) whilst New York was once 63-44 (.589) over that very same stretch.
“It just didn’t go our way early in the year,” mentioned Atlanta catcher Travis d’Arnaud after Sunday night time’s 5-3 win over the Mets. “Pulling on the same rope, having each other’s backs and not trying to do too much. We’re just trying to play the game of baseball and have fun with it.”
Fun? Well, successful 70% of your video games over 100+ video games does appear awfully a laugh. Winning 5 of your ultimate six video games towards your largest rival whilst outscoring the Mets 42-19 in the ones video games? Well, that turns out like a blast.
Now, let’s hope the joys continues via October and (doubtlessly) into November.
The protecting World Series champions have given themselves a first-round bye in the brand new MLB playoff layout, that means they received’t play till the National League Division Series (best-of-five) starts on October 11. The NLDS matchup will most likely have the Braves dealing with the winner of the Cardinals/Phillies best-of-three wildcard collection whilst the winner of the Mets/Padres wildcard collection will get the excitement of enjoying the apparently unbeatable Los Angeles Dodgers.
These Braves really feel so much like remaining yr’s squad. Talented. Timely. Tough.
Dansby Swanson, Austin Riley and Matt Olson have taken turns and blended in combination to fill the void left by means of Freeman’s west coast exodus. Swanson turns out to be the simple chief of the membership, and his efficiency this yr has earned him a pleasing, giant contract getting into loose company this offseason.
As an apart, the Braves had higher be able to stay Swanson in Atlanta. They can’t permit Freeman to stroll then flip round and do the similar factor with the big name shortstop this offseason. Those considerations can wait till later, on the other hand. It’s playoff time in Atlanta and the Braves have an international identify at the mind.
SPORTS NOTES
The City of Savannah game division is now registering groups for its grownup (co-ed) fall softball league because the season starts on October 24. All groups will play two video games each Monday night time at Paulson Softball Complex (situated off Skidaway Ave. in Savannah). Teams will play 10 common season video games sooner than the playoffs get started. The league rate is $275/group. For additional information and to check in your group, touch Kevin Smith at 912-210-0464 OR 912-351-3852.
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