2019 Atlanta Braves

 Some teams are defined by an era of domination they had. The Reds have the Big Red Machine era, the Athletics have the Swingin' A's of the 70s, or the Giants have their era of 3 titles in 5 years. For the Atlanta Braves, they have their 1990s run where they had a run of 14 straight NL West/East division titles. That era eventually had to end, and all the associated stars retired and moved on, so like the before mentioned teams, the Braves had to seek a way to return to the top.

The Braves in 2018 had won the NL East for only the 2nd time since their record streak had ended, but it was as a good a time as any to try to start a new streak as they entered play in 2019. The win the division, they had to contend with a hungry Washington Nationals team on their way to a title and New York Mets team that always felt they have a chance, especially when facing the Braves.

Brian Snitker had taken over as Manager in 2016 and year by year had guided the Braves to better and better records, with their best record yet under him being 90 in 2018 when they claimed the division. They'd need more in 2019 as their 97-65 finished clinched then back-to-back NL East titles for the first time since their 14 in a row, 4 games better than the Nationals.

The Division Series opponent for Atlanta was the St. Louis Cardinals. Game 1 saw the Braves squander 1-0 and 3-1 leads before going into the 9th inning all tied up. The Cardinals would then put up 4 runs in the inning, and while the Braves would mount a 3 run comeback attempt in the bottom of the frame, they still fell short 7-6. The Braves would respond with a 3-0 Game 2 to tie things up as the scene shifted to St. Louis. Game 3 saw the Braves trailing 1-0 in the 9th, where Adam Duvall capped off a rally with a go-ahead double to give the Braves the winning 3-1 score.

The Braves had a chance to advance to the NLCS in Game 4, but lost a 1 run lead in the 8th inning, then dropped the game in the 10th, forcing a decisive Game 5. Things went apocalyptic immediately as the Cardinals scored 10 runs in the 1st inning, tying a postseason record for a single inning. The Braves were down and out as they only mustered a single run in their 13-1 finale. The Braves had many of the pieces of their 2021 title in place, but they still needed a little refining before they could attain the sorely needed October success.

Atlanta's newest superstar was coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign and flourished in 2019, getting a Silver Slugger and finishing 5th for MVP. The all star would lead the league with 127 Runs and 37 Stolen Bases, while leading the Braves with 41 Home Runs.

The other all star-Silver Slugger combo for the Braves was Freeman, as he led the Braves with 121 RBI and finished in the top 10 for MVP. He also co-led the team with a .295 Batting Average.

This was the final season for Brian McCann, and he made sure to spend it back in Atlanta where his career got started. 

The other regulars. No one had more Hits in the National League than Ozzie Albies and his 189. His efforts also netted him his first Silver Slugger. He joined Freeman in leading the Braves with that .295 BA.

Off the bench for the Braves. Duvall stepped up big in both of Atlanta's playoff wins; Hitting a Home Run in Game 2 to provide insurance runs and delivering a go-ahead 2 RBI Double in Game 3.

 

Soroka's rookie effort for the Braves was a fantastic one. The all star led the Braves with his 2.68 ERA as he got some Cy Young consideration and finished 2nd for Rookie of the Year.

Fried would lead the staff with 17 Wins and 173 Strikeouts.

Other Starters for Atlanta's division title push. Keuchel was their big summer signing to bolster the rotation and was given the ball for Game 1 of the NLDS.

The Braves opened the season with Jackson as Closer, who locked down 18 Saves before the team traded for Melancon to upgrade their 9th inning option for the pennant push. Melancon closed the door on 11 Saves and was the late inning man for the NLDS where he saved both victories over the Cardinals.

Bullpen and other arms in 2019.

And here are a bunch of guys doing something that isn't their day job. Culberson would take to the mound a couple times in 2019 where he would record his only career Strikeout as a pitcher. As for the other cards here, they were all involved in that infamous win against the Mets that saw the Braves strike out 26 times and still win. The game went 14 innings, so the Braves emptied their bench to the point that they needed some pitchers to grab a bat as well. Foltynewicz started the game, the others were pinch hitters.