The buzz around the city of Atlanta is excitement for the Atlanta Braves as the Braves await to play host to the St. Louis Cardinals in the opening game of the National League Divisional Series later today. First pitch set for 5:02 pm.
Last year the fans were just happen the team made it, as no one was expecting them to get past the LA Dodgers, and they didn’t as the Dodgers took last year’s NLDS three games to one. But excitement was around this team for one game behind OF Ronald Acuna, Jr’s epic grand slam. No one expected the Braves to be in the situation that unfolded last year, and winning the NL East last year was out of the question, but they did.
So this year the expectations have raised. Baseball fans around Atlanta want a World Series Championship, but the sports writers say winning a playoff series should be the goal…NO!!! The fan base of Atlanta sports have suffered enough. Atlanta sports teams seem to do enough to get there every few years, then the letdown comes every postseason. It’s one thing to be terrible every year where there are no expectations, but Atlanta teams seem to tease the fanbase, including UGA football.
The Atlanta Braves organization has won 19 pennants including 14 in a row from 1991-2005. The team has won the NL East the last two years and there is a buzz about this team. Third baseman Josh Donaldson signed a 1-year $23 million contact and word was this is stupid money for a washed up, injured has been. But all Donaldson has done this year is played in 155 games and hit for an average of .260, 142 hits, 37 homeruns, 94 RBI’s, and scored 96 times. Without Donaldson’s on field play, swagger, and off the field leadership, the Braves wouldn’t be where they are right now.
Out of the 19 years the Atlanta organization has been in postseason play, attendance and enthusiasm has dwindled each and every year as the team seemed to do the same thing every year…good pitching but no hitting. The fans just lost interest because it was going to be the same ole, same ole, each year. The Braves couldn’t even sellout their home stadium. The one year the Braves did take home the World Series crown, they did so on a 1-0 shutout by starting pitcher Tom Glavine and closer Mark Wohlers and a solo homerun by right fielder David Justice.
This year the excitement is back with a stacked lineup from top to bottom, solid starting pitching and above average relief pitching. The relief pitching was the big issue all throughout the season until the trading deadline approached. General Manager Alex Anthopoulos pulled the trigger to land relief pitchers Shane Greene from the Detroit Tigers, Mark Melancon from the San Francisco Giants, and Chris Martin from the Texas Rangers. After a couple of rough weeks, all three of the new relievers started to show why Anthopoulos traded for them.
These opening games are going to be a tall test for this young Atlanta Braves team. Will it bring a new acceleration for the fanbase starving for a winning postseason, or will fans around the city be chanting, “same Braves in the playoffs.” As I always say…”Time will tell.” That time begins in less than two hours from now at the ballpark here in Atlanta known simply as STP.
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