Sweep City
Atlanta fans everywhere are wearing their brooms out with all the sweeps the Braves are putting up. Broom makers everywhere are rejoicing. Braves fans are as well and even some are starting to think the Braves have this season sewn up. Given the recent play, it is hard to contain the excitement.
The team swept the Cardinals. The same Cardinals who were leading the NL Central. The same Cardinals sports media talking heads only a few short weeks ago were using the words “red hot” and “unbeatable” to describe them. The Braves made short work of them and what’s more they made it look easy.
Next up, the under .500 Rockies who were swept so badly it was almost sad, almost. The Braves were hitting home run after home run. Players were having multi-hit games. The pitching was simply amazing. Mile High stadium is known for giving up the long ball, but the Braves were putting on a show, a baseball exhibition really. In the last game versus the Rockies, the Braves totaled up 14 hits, 3 home runs, and only 3 strikeouts. They also were 4 for 11 RISP and had a team LOB of just 8. The strikeout number is the one most promising. Getting this down is key for the Braves to keep winning, especially close games. Braves pitching combined for only 2 earned runs, 14 strikeouts and only 9 hits on the game.
The Braves will take on the Phillies this weekend and it presents yet another opportunity for a sweep. The Phillies are at the weakest they have been in a very long time. They are 13.5 games back of the Braves in the NL East. The more room the Braves can put between themselves and the Nats and Phillies the better. There is no need to rest on the 7 wins in a row. The Braves should continue to press on working on keeping down the strikeout, RISP and LOB numbers. These are key for the looming post season and for close games that will require crucial hits to win.
The Braves are exciting. The 7 wins in a row are exciting. The sweeps are exciting. There are about 2 months until the baseball post season begins. The Braves have about 16 games out of the NL division, the rest of the remaining games are in the NL East. Outside the division, it is the Cubs, Indians, Cardinals and Padres….games the team should win. But until the next 2 months are over, I hope I can keep my excitement in check.
Chop Heads 