Atlanta Braves Postseason Preview: Who gives Atlanta a tougher matchup?

By: Jacob Cullum

With the 2023 MLB Postseason underway, the Atlanta Braves are poised to make a run to the World Series after a historic 2023 regular season. Finishing with a MLB best 104-58 record and winning the NL East for a 6^th straight year, Atlanta looks as dangerous as ever. Their 104 wins marks the most wins since going 106-56 in 1998. Atlanta has also had back-to-back 100+ win seasons for the first time since the 1998 and 1999 seasons. It is safe to say that Braves fans are all in on their squad and hope the Braves can bring back the Commissioner’s Trophy back to Atlanta.

This begs the question; what is it going to take for Atlanta to go the distance? Awaiting the winner of the NL Wild Card, the matchup between Miami and Philadelphia holds Atlanta’s next obstacle. As of 10/4, Philadelphia proved victorious in Game 1 in a best of three games against the Marlins. With Game 2 being played tonight in Philadelphia, the Phillies have an opportunity to clinch a spot in the NLDS against Atlanta.

So, between Miami and Philadelphia, which opponent offers an easier path to the NLCS for the Braves? With both teams being in the NL East, they both finished behind Atlanta in the division race. Philadelphia managed to secure 2^nd place in the NL East with a record of 90-72. The Phillies benefited from above-average pitching with a team average of 4.02 ERA. Led by the trio pitchers Aaron Nola (12-9, 202K), Zach Wheeler (13-6, 3.61 ERA), and Taijuan Walker (15-6, 1.31 WHIP), the Phillies have a solid pitching rotation that could even cause trouble to the Braves seemingly infinite number of sluggers. Alternatively, Philadelphia had the 8^th ranked team batting average at .256 lead by OF Bryce Harper and newly acquired SS Trea Turner. The Phillies also ranked 8^th in total homeruns with 220. Just to compare, Atlanta ranked 1^st in both team average (.276) and homeruns (307).

However, let’s not count Miami out of this. The Marlins have had an “out of nowhere” comeback and secured a spot in the Wild Card against Philadelphia in a season many had written off. With a team average sitting at 4^th best in the MLB (.259), the Marlins have benefited from timely hitting and solid pitching from the now-injured Sandy Alcantara and young stud Jesus Luzardo. If they can steal a game in Philadelphia, Game three may serve as an opportunity for the clutch bats of Miami to shock the MLB.

Jacob Previews The Braves Playoff Chances

In terms of Atlanta’s path, it is evident that the Phillies have both better pitching and batting statistically speaking. Miami seems to benefit from their status as the underdog; however, how far will that get a team against an absolutely stacked Atlanta club? For Braves fans, it is obvious that the clear team to cheer for is Miami. Philadelphia poises a much larger threat statistically. To be more precise, elite level pitching and timely hitting is going to have to be what brings Atlanta crumbling down. Philadelphia, on paper, seems to have more of both. In short, Braves fans should be pulling heavily for Miami to pull off a comeback and upset the Phillies. Game 2 of the NL Wild Card will be heard on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte at 7pm tonight.