Braves: Is Something Wrong?

Here we are on June 4th, over a third of the way through the season. Of all the division leaders, the Braves have the biggest lead: 6-1/2 games. Since last July 4th the Braves have the best record in the National League. The Oakland A's have the best record over that span, just one game better than the Braves. Only three teams have a better 2013 record, and only one of those teams is in the National League. They have the best home record in baseball.

Atlanta has done this despite numerous injuries and slumps. Brandon Beachy is still several weeks away from his return. So is veteran reliever Christian Martinez. Key relievers Jonny Venters and Eric O'Flaherty are out for the year. Brian McCann, Freddie Freeman, Jordan Walden, Luis Ayala, Blake Dewitt, and Kris Medlin have all missed time due to injury. Three starters are hitting under .200: BJ Upton, Jason Heyward, and Dan Uggla. After winning Player of the Month in April, leftfielder Justin Upton struggled the entire month of May. Tim Hudson has struggled at times, particularly on the road.

The experts' pick to win the World Series, the Washington Nationals, have a losing record. Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, and Jason Werth are all hurt. Danny Espinosa is playing with a broken bone in his hand. As formidable as the Nats are, so far this season things have gone the Braves way. Mike Minor has emerged as the ace of the Atlanta staff, going 4-0 in May and compiling one of the best records in baseball since last July. Hopefully he will represent the Braves in the All-Star Game. Minor seemed at ease when Tom Verducci interviewed him during Saturday night's game.

Despite the record, many irate fans are complaining about Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez playing struggling players. Some say beat writer Dave O'Brien is toeing the company line, when his salary is paid by the AJC, not the Braves. He doesn't even fly on the team charter. Fans are on him for not agreeing with their wacko opinions, or supporting good baseball decisions that aren't executed properly on the field. Though DOB has repeatedly written how the presence of a third catcher on the roster has allowed Evan Gattis to pinch-hit and play other positions, fans belittle the decision because no other team in baseball has three catchers. It's so bad that DOB felt the need to write a column on this. Unfortunately, the very fans who need to read and understand don't bother with these details. Veteran that he is, DOB lets this abuse roll off his back.

Since the Braves have led the division all year, Fredi has been able to let struggling players try to work through their problems during games. Instead of further frustrating or humiliating already struggling starters by benching them or sending them to the minors, the Braves' division lead gives them the luxury of letting players work their way out of slumps in games. They may sit out a game here or there against a tough pitcher or to avoid a righty/righty or lefty/lefty matchup, which would only make matters worse. ESPN erroneously reported the Braves were considering sending centerfielder BJ Upton to the minors. This weekend BJ seemed more relaxed at the plate. All the extra work BJ has put in is beginning to pay off, with the walk-off single Saturday and home run on Sunday. This turnaround wouldn't have happened had many fans had their way.