Jim Bowden gives Braves reason for optimism and pessimism

The Atlanta Braves season has been a whirlwind, and it hasn’t even been a month yet. There was the 0-7 start, the Jurickson Profar suspension for PEDs, Reynaldo Lopez injury, Acuña/Snitker/Kelenic controversy; hell, even Braves clubhouse reporter Wiley Ballard managed to become a national headline for spitting game on live TV. Spencer Strider returned, only to go back on the IL after just one start. Yet, somehow, the Braves have won 10 out of their last 17 games despite seemingly nothing going their way.

There’s undoubtedly been more bad than good, but momentum is currently on the Braves’ side, thanks to an offense that is starting to look like one of the best in baseball again. Which is a reason for optimism, according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden.

“Reason for optimism: After a slow start, the Braves’ lineup looks like it could get back to its lethal form of two years ago. Ronald Acuña Jr. appears to be making progress in rehabbing from his latest knee surgery and should be returning to the active roster sometime in early May. Austin Riley and Matt Olson are primed for bounce-back seasons on the hot corners while Marcell Ozuna continues to be one of the most effective and consistent DHs in the sport,” Bowden writes.

The Atlanta Braves offense is the singular reason for optimism. Everything else has concerns, but this offense can still be the best in baseball by season’s end. The heart of the lineup has begun to heat up, and the wins have come behind it. Sean Murphy looks like the 2023 version of himself, and Alex Verdugo has been a godsend.

If Ronald Acuña Jr. returns from injury in the coming weeks and looks anything like the guy that won the National League MVP a couple of years ago, the Braves are going to put up 5-6 runs a night on average. That’s going to lead to a lot of wins; it doesn’t matter who is pitching, which is undoubtedly a reason for pessimism in Atlanta.

“Reason for pessimism: The losses of Max Fried and Charlie Morton in free agency combined with the early season surgery for Reynaldo López has left the Braves with several rotation questions to answer if they want to make it back to the postseason. Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale has posted a 6.17 ERA over his first five outings and staff ace Spencer Strider is back on the injured list with a hamstring strain after making just one start. Spencer Schwellenbach (2.56 ERA) has been their only solid starter in the early going,” Bowden writes.

Jim Bowden really doesn’t even encapsulate the entire problem. But before I get into that, I will not tolerate any Grant Holmes disrespect. He’s been great for the Braves this season as he makes the transition into a full-time starter after primarily serving as a reliever last year.

Still, this is a rotation that is littered with holes, and the depth is non-existent. The Braves will have to rely heavily on guys like AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder all season, and that’s hoping nobody else gets injured, because I have no idea where they’ll turn to next if that happens.

Beyond that, the bullpen is in just as bad of shape. Outside of Daysbel Hernandez, the entire group has been horrid, even closer Raisel Iglesias. The bullpen is going to lose the Braves many games throughout the season. Brian Snitker just has to hope his bats can give the team a big enough lead so that it doesn’t matter.

—

Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire

The post Jim Bowden gives Braves reason for optimism and pessimism appeared first on SportsTalkATL.com.