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Atlanta Braves Are Thriving As Underdogs In 2015

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Joey Terdoslavich Celebrates

Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves have been the favorite to compete for a spot in the MLB postseason for as long as most baseball fans can remember. Going back to the early days of Bobby Cox managing, to when the big three started anchoring the pitching staff, greatness was just expected. Things couldn’t have been more different coming into the 2015 season, yet team officials like John Hart adamantly repeated that it was not a rebuild year. Most fans didn’t believe him and all critics wrote the team off for the season.

It would be difficult to blame fans for being frustrated coming into the season since their favorite closer was traded and all of the big boppers except for the ever consistent Freddie Freeman were sent packing. A rebuilding program is something most Braves faithful from the 1990s thought they would never have to suffer through, yet it appeared this would be that kind of season. Even the most faithful fan found it difficult to believe the Braves could compete with the roster they had.

That, as the saying goes, is why they play the games. If any franchise knows that having a big payroll and tons of expectations doesn’t get you a ring and a trophy, it’s the Braves. So sure, the teams that are supposed to win are struggling to stay ahead of the pack because of all kinds of things. That’s just how baseball works. The real story here is that the Braves are the unexpected underdogs and they are absolutely thriving in that role.

Something is different about this team aside from the fact that it might have seemed to be glued together at the edges coming into the season. There is a relaxed attitude of confidence within them that is refreshing. Nobody walks around like they are too big for their shoes and nobody is more focused on how far the ball will fly than getting a fellow teammate to the next base. As of this writing, they find themselves only a couple of games behind the all-powerful Washington Nationals.

Could it be that the guys building this team were right? Are you kidding me? Hart was the architect of the big turnaround of the Cleveland Indians years ago. John Schuerholz is one of the most admired and decorated baseball minds in the past century. Cox is a current Hall-of-Famer and one of the most respected managers ever. These are the minds behind this team. Is it any wonder that they are finding ways to succeed when nobody thought they would?

Oh, and guess what? Their team plays games that are twice as fun to watch, and they are finding ways to remain competitive with a ton less payroll and a farm system that has improved faster than seemingly possible. This team is on the way to great things, and whether they get there this season or not, you can bet it will be a great ride watching them put pressure on all those big payroll teams along the way.

David Miller is an MLB Featured Writer 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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