The MLB Playoff Standings just get more interesting as the season comes to a close. The Atlanta Braves have been struggling and it is not the first time the team has had troubles closing out a season. Should Atlanta Braves fans panic as the season is coming to a close? We give you both sides, the optimistic and the pessimistic as the Braves can't seem to win a ball game once again.
Pessimistic Braves Fan
For the fans who thing negatively, these losses have been tough. 2011 is still fresh in their heads and it seems like the Braves are headed down the same road. It's been almost two weeks since the team had their Magic Number sitting on single digits. It probably felt like an eternity when they finally got it down to four as they faced the Washington Nationals head-to-head after losing two of three to the San Diego Padres.
Worse of all, the reality struck hard on Tuesday when the Braves could not close out Game 1. Elliot Johnson looked like a player who deserved to be released and Andrelton Simmons' trustful defense failed, though a lot of the blame goes to Craig Kimbrel, who looked more like a rookie than an All-Star as he could not hit the strike zone. It is almost an identical repeat of 2011.
Optimistic Braves Fan
"There is no reason to panic. It's only four games," says the fan who believes in his Braves. This is true, especially since mathematically, the Braves have the advantage. In order for the Braves to pull this gigantic collapse, they would have to lose nine of their last 11 games of the season. The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers are in town. The Braves can take two of three from these guys.
Also working on the Braves' favor is the fact that they play their last seven games at home. The host the Brewers and the Philadelphia Phillies in the last seven games of the season. Atlanta is 51-20 at Turner Field, giving them the best home record of any team in the majors.
Though the Braves are having issues scoring runs, they still have a decent enough pitching staff that can get them over the hump. The bullpen has to step up and the defense has to bail their pitchers out, especially late in the game.
Do you believe the Braves will blow this big lead? Voice your opinion in the discussion section, letting us know why.
