Nobody expects the Braves to win the World Series. Overcoming the injuries the club has endured for a postseason berth alone is an accomplishment.
The Padres are loaded and might be the hottest team in baseball since the All-Star break. Expecting the Braves to take two of three is a tall order; however, The Athletic’s Tim Britton believes there’s a path to winning another Fall Classic. In fact, it’s a familiar historical comp — the 1995 World Series champion Atlanta Braves.
Believe it or not — and the 2014 Giants don’t — but the 1995 Braves actually own the worst offense to win a World Series in the divisional era. (We’re judging that just by runs scored compared to the league average.) But that pitching staff? Yeah, that’s how you clinch a World Series over a juggernaut offense with a 1-0 victory.
This year’s Braves team isn’t running out a Hall of Famer each night, but it’s been nearly as good overall as the ’95 squad (a 120 ERA+ this season versus 123 in 1995). This team isn’t as good striking out hitters, but it is more adept at hitting the long ball, which sure came in handy back then.
This is true. There hasn’t been a better pitching staff in baseball this season. Having five horses like Chris Sale, Max Fried, Spencer Schwellenbach, Reynaldo Lopez, and Charlie Morton will give you a shot at the crown every single postseason.
The only problem? The Braves don’t have all of their horses. Sale and Schwellenbach were left off the Wild Card roster — Sale because of back spasms and Schwelly because he pitched on Monday. That’s also not considering the Braves depleted bullpen, which was stressed in its doubleheader on Monday against the Mets.
So yes, if the Braves had their horses lined up and their relief core wasn’t taxed, I could see a path forward. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The margin for error is much thinner, but this is baseball in October; anything can happen.
If the Braves escape the Wild Card with Sale and Schwellenbach back for an NLDS against the Dodgers, people better watch out.
—
David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.