Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo says they are better than the Atlanta Braves

Apr 13, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) slides into second with a double on a missed catch by Washington Nationals first baseman Kevin Frandsen (19 in the eighth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports /

During the 2013 season, the Atlanta Braves went 13-6 against the Washington Nationals in route to the NL East division championship, and this year, the Braves are back at it again in dismantling their division rivals. However, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo doesn’t seem to be terribly impressed.

Mike Rizzo on the Braves: "We feel that we're better than this team. We respect them & respect the organization. We don't fear them."
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) April 13, 2014

Via James Wagner of the Washington Post, Rizzo indicated on Sunday morning that he believes that Nationals are “better than” the Braves, and went on to say that they don’t fear them. Of course, these comments are perfectly reasonable on paper, as much of the league seems to consider the Nationals as the favorite in the NL East, but with that said, timing isn’t Rizzo’s strength for one important reason.

The Braves just swept the Nationals.

Granted, Rizzo’s comments came before the 3rd and final game (which the Braves dominated to the tune of a 10-2 score), but after 6 games this season, Atlanta is 6-1 against Washington, and that brings the 2-year total to 19 down against just 7 up for the Nationals. It is (obviously) too early to make definitive conclusions about either team at this stage, but the Nationals brass (and players, really) should probably begin to close up shop with regard to comments about the Atlanta Braves.

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