Fansided

Grading every team’s World Series chances after the trade deadline

By Brad Weiss

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 24: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday July 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 24: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday July 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MAY 4: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves bats against the San Francisco Giants at SunTrust Park on May 4, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MAY 4: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves bats against the San Francisco Giants at SunTrust Park on May 4, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves have really come out of nowhere this season, as their roster would have indicated that they were a year or two away from contending. Well, the entire NL East has been turned on its head this season, with the Philadelphia Phillies leading it, and the Braves nestled in second place.

Obviously, the Braves were not looking to settle for second place, and suddenly became buyers at the trade deadline. Atlanta swung a huge deal with the Baltimore Orioles for starter Kevin Gausman and reliever Darren O’Day, adding to the bounty they had already brought in prior to the deal.

Earlier, Atlanta traded with the Cincinnati Reds for Adam Duvall, adding another big bat to their lineup. When it comes to the bullpen, the team traded with the Baltimore Orioles for Brad Brach, who has spent the last two years finishing games for the team along with star Zach Britton. Johnny Venters was also added from Tampa Bay, as the team really focused on the pen.

With the Phillies only in front of the Braves by 0.5 games going into their July 31 slate, the NL East is anybody’s for the taking with two months left in the season. This team proved their early season success was no fluke, and with a bolster roster heading into August, there is no reason why they cannot overtake the Phillies down the stretch.

Remember, this Braves team was very young prior to the trade deadline, and they added some valuable veteran talent over the past few days. Do they have enough to make a run towards the World Series in 2018? Their chances got much better on Tuesday.

Grade: B

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