If you can believe it, we’re already 1/10 the way of this year’s regular season after less than a week of play. It won’t be long before the trade deadline comes, and then boom, it’s October. The Braves have had an up and down start and deservedly are 3-3. His initial rotation, as we expected, has been his biggest concern. However, his bullpen has proven to be a weapon Brian Snitker will have a lot of fun with this season.
Even though Atlanta’s core of relief was to start last year, they were one of the best at the end of the season after Alex Anthopoulos added Mark Melancon, Shane Greene and Chris Martin on the trade deadline, and that trend has continued until 2020.
Outside of Touki Toussaint’s start on Monday, in which he allowed six earned runs in 2.2 innings of relief against the Rays, the Braves bullpen has only allowed four runners to cross the plate in 24 innings of work. No other reliever has allowed more than one earned run, and they have been outstanding in throwing punches, which was their most obvious problem last season. In 26.1 innings, Atlanta’s relay core has just four walks compared to thirty strikeouts. And for the most part, they have been without their two best relievers.
Mark Melancon made his debut in 2020 yesterday, pitching a perfect inning in a save against the Rays after back strain kept him out of the game for a few days. He is expected to be the closer of the teams in the future. However, Atlanta’s best reliever, based on performance in recent years, and his latest addition, Will Smith, has yet to join the team after testing positive for the coronavirus before the season. Since then he has tested negative and returned to camp but still needs some time to stretch before rejoining the team. We should see him make his debut with the Braves sometime next week.
Atlanta has a lot to do in their rotation if they want to give a push in October. Mike Soroka and Max Fried are fantastic, but they need more than that before being seen as serious contenders. Hopefully, arms like Sean Newcomb and Kyle Wright can step up. Until then, however, the bullpen will have to be at the top of its game if the Braves want to repeat as National League East champions.
