Projections are just that — projections. They should always be taken with a grain of salt, but it’s nice to see your favorite team recognized by these advanced algorithms. FanGraphs has the Braves leading the MLB in wins this season with 93, followed by Padres, Yankees and Mets at 91 wins.
I actually might prefer to be the underdog rather than the favorite. There’s something special about being counted out and proving naysayers wrong. However, what is so unique about baseball is how difficult it is to win the World Series.
The best team doesn’t always raise the Commissioner’s Trophy at the end; it’s about finding a way into the dance and getting hot at the right time. The Braves’ 2021 and 2022 teams are perfect examples.
The club was a significantly better all-around team last season compared to 2021, but it was the 2021 group that came into October scorching hot, which is why they ended up bringing Atlanta its first World Series since 1995.
Last season didn’t end how Braves Country wanted, but Alex Anthopoulos has done a marvelous job setting up this club to contend for the rest of the decade. All you can ask for is a shot in October, and the Braves will have it for years.
Projections don’t get me too excited or down because a 162-game season has so much variance that no model can precisely predict it. It’s why the Braves have consistently been overlooked within the division yet have taken the NL East five seasons in a row. Clubhouse chemistry is often an overlooked aspect of winning culture by the public. That is where Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves thrive.
Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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