Predicting The First Two Months of the 2016 Atlanta Braves Season
By Jeff Schafer
So you have already seen the schedule the Atlanta Braves have in April – yes, that gauntlet they have to go through in the first month of the 2016 season. So now the question becomes, does May get any easier?
May has thirty-one days and the Braves will be playing on twenty-eight of these days. What makes it harder yet is that two of those three off days come in the first ten days of the month. Plus there is not even a home field advantage, as fourteen games are at Turner Field and fourteen games are on the road.
To start, the Braves finish the series with the Chicago Cubs on the road with the final game of the series. On the road, likely a loss. For the month, 0-1.
Next, the Braves travel to New York to take on the Mets for three games. Here, the Braves will get one from the Mets so for the month, 1-3.
After the series versus the Mets, the Braves get an off day to head home for a three game series versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. Returning to Turner Field, the Braves have the potential to sweep the series, giving them a winning record for the month at 4-3.
Although staying at Turner Field, the Braves have another off day before the Phillies come to town for three games. The Braves could easily sweep the Phillies, but will only take two games, giving them a 6-4 record for the month.
Oct 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez (33) makes a pitching change against the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Cardinals 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Here comes a tough stretch though, as the Braves immediately travel to Kansas City to face the defending World Series Champions’ Royals for a three game series. The Royals will be too much – 6-7 for the month.
From Kansas City to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates for a four game series. The Braves will take one game, making them 7-10 on the month.
Now some relief, as the Braves go from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia to face the Phillies for the second time in the month for three games. This time will it will be a sweep for the Braves. For the month, 10-10.
Next is the final off day for the month for the Braves so they can travel home to face the Brewers for three games, where they will take two of three and be sitting at 12-11 for the month, before welcoming the Florida Marlins to Turner Field for three games.
Another sweep for the Braves and a 15-11 record for the month.
The Braves finish the month with two home games against the San Francisco Giants, but the Giants will win both, leaving the Braves at 15-13 for the month of May.
What a way for the Atlanta Braves to start the season for the last season at Turner Field. Can you say, running through the gauntlet in April?
Going through the schedule for 2016, lets start the series and get your thoughts on what the Braves face through the first month of the season.
Overall, the Braves do not start the season until April 4, 2016. Of the remaining days in April, twenty-seven of them, the Braves only have three off days – essentially playing 24 games in 27 days.
This includes an initial stretch of 12 games in 15 days, followed by another off day. But after that, it is 12 games in 12 days leading up to the end of April.
Thirteen of these games are at home, while eleven are on the road.