The Braves are less than two weeks from opening day, when they’ll travel to Philadelphia and began their NL East title defense.
Here’s the latest from camp:
1. The Braves are expected to announce their opening-day starting pitcher within the next several days, but it's become clear who that will be. Julio Teheran likely gets the nod, extending his franchise-record streak to six consecutive opening days. The Braves adjusted their rotation to where he would line up for the March 28 start.
2. Rotation depth is one thing, but it's fair to be slightly concerned how the starters will fare early on. Sean Newcomb walked four hitters Friday. Kevin Gausman has had an uninspiring exhibition season. Mike Foltynewicz is hurt. The good news: Kyle Wright, Bryse Wilson, Touki Toussaint and Max Fried have looked excellent lately. With Foltynewicz probably opening on the injured list, the Braves may carry a couple of them on the initial roster.
3. Shortstop Dansby Swanson has only 11 at-bats this spring, but he's looked and felt healthy after a season of wrist issues. He's worked the count in at-bats and come up with a few of his usual impressive defensive snags.
“Just the fact he’s healthy,” manager Brian Sniker said. “His wrist feels really good. Defensively, he’s nails. Some good at-bats. We just have to keep getting him out there and let him see more pitches, get his timing. Overall I think he’s in a good place.
4. Ronald Acuna has been outstanding, though his on-base steak of 10 ended Friday. The Braves seem committed to hitting him cleanup, which will look wise if he puts up the expected numbers.
They toyed with Ozzie Albies at leadoff against a lefty on Friday and Saturday. Snitker offered an endorsement of the Braves’ other exciting youngster. Perhaps the Braves will hit Ender Inciarte at leadoff versus righties, while Albies gets the job against southpaws. Albies has slashed .333/.369/.542 against left-handers in his career.
5. Have we talked enough about the Braves' early-season gauntlet? They'll need to be as full strength as they can get. The first seven games are at Philadelphia and the Cubs. They get three games with the Marlins before the following:
at Colorado
vs. Mets
vs. Arizona
at Cleveland
at Cincinnati
vs. Colorado
vs. San Diego
Now, that may not prove too dangerous, but the Mets, Reds and Padres are wild cards. Even if they underwhelm, they won’t be pushovers. The National League is just really well-rounded at this point. Miami is the only on-paper “tanking” team.
And after that stretch? They begin a three-city trip in Miami, Los Angeles and Phoenix. That’s followed by St. Louis and Milwaukee, then another trip to San Francisco and St. Louis.
The Braves will be tested early. That might be a good thing – if most of the team is healthy.
