The Atlanta Braves finished the 2013 season with 96 wins putting them 30 games over .500 for the first time since 2004. They held control of the NL East for every single day of the seasons except April fourth. After losing to the Phillies on the fourth they went on a ten game fire streak and never looked back.
As far as the playoffs are concerned the Braves are going to need to do what they did in the early days of April to take home the crown. Below is the five keys to the Braves winnings the World Series.
5. Get the ball to Craig Kimbrel
If this Atlanta ball club can take a lead into the ninth inning you have to assume they will have it wrapped up. Kimbrel is the thirteenth player of-all time to record 50 saves in a season all while recording an ERA of 1.21. The best part of all is that he can strike out almost anyone on any opposing team. In 67 innings pitched he struck out 98. When this guy comes into the game its almost a guarantee that he is going to pull out the win. Not many teams in the league have the same luxury that the Atlanta Braves poses with “Killa Craig”.
4. Jason Heyward
Yes, all that says is J-Hey. When he is playing the Braves are better, simple as that. When he is leading off the Braves are going to win. He can hit for power, hit for average and walk. Once he gets on-base he can steal bases at ease. Since the All Star game he has batted .305 while hitting seven home runs, driving in 17 men and walking 18 times. In the last ten games that Heyward has played in the Braves won seven of them. He is arguably the most important piece to this squad heading into the playoffs. If he does not hit the Braves do not win and the fans of Atlanta will have to wonder what could have been.
3. The Young Pitching Staff has to Step Up
Kris Medlen has pitched in one playoff game which took place last year in the wild card play-in game. He didn’t do too bad but he is going to need to have his best stuff on Thursday night. The fact that the Dodgers have Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke as their one-two punch is scary. If Medlen can pitch like he has over the past month the Braves will put themselves in a great position to at least go 1-1 heading to LA. Mike Minor and Julio Teheran are also going to need to put their big boy pants on. They have zero playoff appearances but when you have the youngest team in baseball and make the playoffs you have to throw your best at them. The youngsters in Atlanta can get by the Dodgers but it can not happen if these pitchers get the deer in the headlight look.
2. The Bullpen has to Continue to Perform
It is no secret that the Braves have the best bullpen in baseball and that is before we even begin to talk about Kimbrel. Luis Avilan has pitched admirably for this team all season long with an ERA of of 1.52 and an opponent batting average of .175! He is just one of many important pieces that make up this bullpen. David Carpenter, Scott Downs and Luis Ayala all have stepped up since the loss of Jonny Venters and Eric O’Flaherty. These guys have stepped up time and time again. Come Thursday night all of those numbers don’t matter but the bullpen needs to remember who they are and what they can do.
1. Manufacturing Runs
This can be said for every single team in baseball but especially for Atlanta. Everyone is well aware that they can hit home runs as they led the National League. The main problem this team has had when they go into slumps is that they can’t get that big hit with runners in scoring position. This is going to need to change and fast. Freeman is one of the few hitters on the team who has stepped up during the RISP opportunities but it’s going to need to be more than just him. Chris Johnson and Justin Upton will be a big reason why this team could take home the crown. Braves fans are just hoping that B.J. Upton can get a hit or two in the entire playoffs.