As the Atlanta Braves kick off their season, their pitching rotation strategy has been largely successful through the first three games. Chris Sale delivered as expected, Reynaldo Lopez showcased his revived velocity, and Grant Holmes put in a solid performance even in a loss.
The Braves managed to win a series without deploying closer Raisel Iglesias, and the bullpen got some much-needed rest, aside from Didier Fuentes, who was recently optioned. But now, the real challenge begins.
The Braves are set to face the Athletics starting Monday, a matchup that seems favorable for Atlanta, especially at home. Yet, with Bryce Elder slated to pitch the first game and likely Jose Suarez or Martin Perez for the second, the A's could pose a surprising threat despite their current winless record.
While the A's aren't widely expected to make a playoff run this year, they're a team on the rise. Their lineup is potent, capable of capitalizing on any missteps. With hitters like Lawrence Butler, Nick Kurtz, Brent Rooker, Shea Langeliers, and Tyler Soderstrom, the Athletics have plenty of power to disrupt the Braves' plans if given the chance.
So, how confident should we be with Elder or Suarez on the mound? The answer might be not very.
It's certainly possible they deliver strong performances, and the Braves' offense is formidable in its own right. However, the risk of things going sideways has increased.
The Braves are committed to giving Elder his opportunity on Monday, and either Suarez or Perez will follow. The lineup will need to step up, especially since neither Jacob Lopez nor a less-than-intimidating Aaron Civale seem likely to instill fear from the A's side.
If the Braves' bats come alive, they might just neutralize whatever the A's bring offensively. That’s the hope, at least.