Let’s play two truths and a lie with the 2016 Atlanta Braves.
Here are your options:
- They have literally never been over .500.
- They fired their manager just 50 games into the season.
- They have recorded two six-game winning streaks in the past 30 days.
What do you think? Which is the lie?
It has to be number three, right? This team has firmly placed itself in the bottom of the National League barrel. No matter how negative the superlative, it probably applies.
Ready for the answer?
Number 1 is true. They started the season 0-9 and have been 10-plus games under .500 since late April.
Number 2 is the lie. Fredi Gonzalez only lasted 37 games.
That’s right, number 3 is one of the truths. On Thursday, the Braves beat the Miami Marlins 6-3 for their sixth consecutive win.
This current tear comes just two weeks after a different six-game winning streak.
You’re forgiven if you missed the earlier streak. It came in the form of back-to-back sweeps of the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies, two teams destined for top-10 draft picks.
This current streak, though, is an entirely different story.
First, the Braves took the final two games of a three game set against the NL East-leading Washington Nationals. Next, they stifled the New York Mets, sweeping the series and preventing New York from taking sole possession of the first Wild Card spot. Now, they have traveled to South Beach and taken game one against a Marlins team that still believes it can make a mad dash for the playoffs.
These are not pushovers. This is one playoff-bound team, one that still has a good shot at winning the Wild Card, and one fringe contender.
Of course, Atlanta’s overall record is still horrendous. They played poorly enough in the first half of the season to virtually guarantee a high draft pick.
Still, despite their pitiful record, the club has continued to battle in the season’s final weeks.
I know that projecting this sort of performance in 2017 is dangerous but man, it’s hard not to be excited about this new and surprisingly competent line up.
Perhaps most encouraging is that the team is receiving contributions from many different players.
On Thursday, the two heroes were Matt Kemp (2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI) and Josh Collmenter (7.0 innings, 5 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K).
On Friday, two former Padres will take the hill. The Braves will send sophomore hurler Matt Wisler (acquired in the Craig Kimbrel trade). The Marlins will start midseason acquisition Andrew Cashner.
While these games have more importance to Miami than Atlanta, it will be exciting to watch the Braves attempt to run their streak to a season-high seven consecutive wins.
Scott Ferris covers the Braves as a Staff Writer for Outside Pitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter @ScottHFerris
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