3 reasons the Atlanta Braves can’t afford to lose the NL East
By Kevin Henry
Why Braves must win NL East: Health
If the Atlanta Braves are forced to play in the Wild Card round, there are many more questions about the team’s health than if the Braves win the National League East.
Two of the biggest question marks currently revolve around starting pitcher Spencer Strider and second baseman Ozzie Albies.
Strider, one of the leading candidates for National League Rookie of the Year, was recently placed on the 15-day injured list with an oblique injury. If all goes well, the right-hander will be back just before the end of the regular season (on October 5) and be available for the Braves when the Wild Card round begins (October 7). However, oblique injuries are tricky, and having a few extra days (with the NLDS scheduled to begin on October 11) for Strider to recover could make a huge difference in his availability and durability throughout October.
The return of Albies, however, is a bit murkier. Suffering a fractured pinky finger after just returning from a long stint on the IL with a fractured foot, a timetable for his availability in the postseason is still unknown. However, if the Braves are able to wait until the NLDS to begin their playoff push, it certainly gives Albies a better chance to be ready to contribute.