Atlanta Braves first potential postseason opponent: the Reds

The Atlanta Braves clinched the NL East title Tuesday evening, but keeping their foot on the accelerator offers a better starting point for postseason play.

In a typical year, clinching the division title would allow the Atlanta Braves to take a moment to enjoy it and rest some of the regulars; but this year is different.

The 2020 postseason format contains something new, seeding based on the best record. The 39-16 Dodgers have (and will keep) the number one seeding; the 34-22 Braves grabbed the number two seed when the Cubs lost to the Pirates — twice now — and dropped to 32-24.

The number two seed puts them in line to play the team with the seventh-best record, and right now, that means the 29-28 Reds. Last night, the Reds easily handled the Brewers in Cincinnati with Trevor Bauer on the bump — pitching on three days rest.

The Reds are the likely opponent as I write this, and worth a quick look at how they stack up.

Atlanta Braves Lineup

The Reds started the year picked to win the NL Central, but their bats didn’t live up to the predictions. They stayed close because of their starting pitching but seemed out of the race until Mike Moustakas found his bat hiding in a corner.

In his first 27 games, Moose batted .241/347/.460/806; when the calendar flipped to September, he stepped it up, and so did his teammates.

(Statistics from Fangraphs)

*Tuesday, the Reds send Stephenson down so they could activate Wade Miley

Those numbers aren’t as glossy as the Atlanta Braves lineup, but underestimating Moustakas, Votto, and Castellanos as dangerous weapons is a mistake.

Defensively, the metrics don’t like either team very much, but he return of Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna Jr. improved the defense of the Atlanta Braves significantly.

The key to Cincinnati’s success so far, and hope for their progress in the postseason, rests with their starting pitching.