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Atlanta Braves: An Easy Fix for the Bullpen Issues

By Jake Mastroianni

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 08: Manager Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves relieves pitcher Chad Sobotka #61 during the seventh inning of Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 08: Manager Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves relieves pitcher Chad Sobotka #61 during the seventh inning of Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 28: Luke  Jackson #77 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park on March 28, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 28: Luke  Jackson #77 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park on March 28, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

Opening Day overreactions are often ridiculous, but in this case, Atlanta Braves fans have a reason to be upset after losing to the Phillies on Thursday.

It is very true that it’s only one game, and you can’t let one game define an entire season. But what happened on Thursday is something Atlanta Braves fans have seen for more than a year now.

We just went through an entire offseason where not a single player was added to the Braves bullpen, which is amazing in a very bad way.

Especially when you consider how sketchy the bullpen was at the end of 2018, and the injuries sustained in Spring Training.

Usually, we as fans need to chill out, but I think in this case Braves fans have every reason to be up in arms.

Had the bullpen been upgraded in the offseason, and had it been managed better during the game, there is a good chance we win that game on Thursday.

The players didn’t help themselves either, and a rare error by Dansby Swanson — and Freddie Freeman not being able to bail him out — hurt as well.

But I honestly believe that had the front office made a few moves in the bullpen, we could be 1-0 right now. That may not matter in the end, but how many more times will we see this happen throughout the year if a change isn’t made?

The good news for Atlanta Braves fans is that there is a very simple solution for this bullpen issue, but it needs to happen quickly.

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