Change In the Air for Atlanta Braves as Season Unravels
When the ground broke on the supposed important series between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves this week, there was not as much drama as their should have been. Even though it was a very close game that started the series and technically it came down to the wire, it seemed that the Nats were just the better team.
It seemed that way because that is the truth. Right now, the inconsistent Braves are nowhere near the level at which the Nats are playing. What does this mean?
With the Braves playing the Nationals six times over the next nine games, it means that their season is about to be as good as over. They simply cannot hope to play well against teams that fight for every out and refuse to quit no matter the score. The Braves do not have eight position players who fight for every pitch and swing. The Nats have at least four or five guys who clearly crave a base-hit during every at-bat.
Very soon the question will not be whether or not the Braves can return to form, but rather why their form became the way it currently is. Unless Jason Heyward or Freddie Freeman are coming up in an inning, you can just about forget a clutch hit. That is just the way it is. What does that mean for the future? As their season becomes completely unraveled over the next several days, the questions will turn to 2015 and what changes should be made.
There have already been hints at the fact that everyone is responsible for their actions. GM Frank Wren is going to be held accountable for locking up two bombed-out players like B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla. Meanwhile, manager Fredi Gonzalez has to be held accountable for the inconsistent effort the team hits the field with on a daily basis.
Will this process lead to change? The fact is that we really do not know. The Braves franchise is an odd one. They cannot simply say that heads are going to roll and big changes will come about if they fail to play well for another few days. Should changes happen? Of course they should. Gonzalez should be let go and Wren needs to be relieved of GM duties.
The outfield situation needs to change, and they need to find a better approach at the plate than simply trying to hit home runs because that does not work in the current MLB landscape. It would be great if Upton could be packaged with someone and be sent away.
Many things need to change. The questions that will haunt Braves fans through the winter is what changes will actually come about, and will they make any difference?
David Miller is a Featured Blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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