The Atlanta Braves Are Off To A Rough Start This Season

Just five innings into the Braves-Marlins game on Thursday afternoon, Atlanta is already down 3-2. There's been no sign of life from this team, and they're already in a 4-8 hole this season. Yes, it's only been 12 games, but now that the division is much improved, should this team and its fanbase worry? I don't think so, and I'll explain why.

Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but no team in the National League has this guy. Ronald Acuna Jr. is somehow hitting .440 with seven homers in the middle of the 13th game of a season. He's on video game mode, so really all the Braves have to do is get better at ANYTHING elsewhere to start winning.

Freddie Freeman hasn't hit his stride yet and neither has three-hitting outfielder Marcell Ozuna. Both hitting in the low .100s. And plus, this pitching staff has been dookie. Max Fried, who was lights out during last year's short season, has been god awful thus far. Let him hit his stride and have a few bats heat up outside of Acuna, and the Braves will turn into the team most thought they could be.

There is one problem, though:

This division is way better. The Mets aren't just "The Mets" anymore, and Derek Jeter's Marlins clearly aren't laying down for the Braves as they once did. If Atlanta wants to win their first World Series since 1995, then they'll have to start hitting. Immediately.

Fans certainly shouldn't count on the "catch-up win streak" in 2021.