Position by position breakdown of Atlanta Braves NLDS series

Thankfully, it’s almost time for the Atlanta Braves to start postseason play.

It feels like it’s been a while since the Atlanta Braves have played a truly meaningful game. That all changes on Thursday when we open up our NLDS series against the St. Louis Cardinals. In this piece, we are going to go position by position and see who truly has an advantage.

Catcher

Let’s start off behind the dish, where both teams have established veterans leading their respective pitching staffs. Ironically, both are probably past their glory years as well.

On one side, you have Yadier Molina, who in years past was one of the better all around players in the game. That’s not to say he isn’t good still, but obviously age has taken its toll and he is not as good as he once was.

Of course the Atlanta Braves have a tandem of Brian McCann and Tyler Flowers. In my opinion, McCann looked tired and wore out for the most part of September and we have all seen Tyler Flowers struggle this year (although even I will admit his best month was September).

The matchup here is unique in which I don’t think any of these three bats will put a scare into the opposing team at this point in their careers. Defensively though, Yadi is still the superior of the three. That is why in my opinion, the Cardinals hold the advantage at Catcher, albeit a slight one.

First Base

We already know what the answer will be, but let’s recap it anyways. Besides, its not like the Cardinals have a weak first baseman anyways.

Paul Goldschmidt didn’t have a bad year after coming over from Arizona but the early results of that trade are leaning in the Diamondbacks favor. Again, Paul Goldschmidt is still really good and any team would love to have him in their middle of the lineup

With all of that said though, of course we got Freddie Freeman. Yes, I am a little nervous about his bone spurs, but Freddie is a gamer. He’s a leader, and leaders at this time of the year muscle on through it.

In years past, these two have been the two best first baseman in the NL in many eye’s and here they are meeting on a big stage for the first time. May the best man win, and let’s hope that it’s Freddie Freeman.

So for this matchup, I would give the Braves a moderate advantage despite how good Goldy can be.