Braves continue hot streak but is it too late?

The Braves wrapped up their sweep of the Mets with a 5-2 victory moving them just four games behind the Colorado Rockies in the NL Wild Card. The Braves are tied for second in the race but with just over a week left is it too little too late for Atlanta?

It seems for the past few seasons the Braves have moved into a seasonal pattern. For the first few months the Braves hover around .500 until the All-Star break descends and they move into high gear propelling them right into the thick of the playoff hunt until mid-August when they begin to stumble. Once their name has fallen from reporter’s tongues as a possible playoff team (somewhere around the second week of September) they start up a hot streak, getting close to a playoff spot but ultimately falling short.

Not one to give up before they are mathematically eliminated, it seems the Braves will fail to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year. But don’t fear Braves fans, there is some hope. In the next 10 games; the Braves will play the lowly Nationals seven times. They also will play the Marlins – who are also still mathematically alive – three times. In addition to the friendly opponents, Atlanta will end the season with a seven game homestand, a place where they are four games over .500.

Still the task at hand will not be easy. As red hot as the Braves have been over the last few weeks, the Rockies have been equally as hot and the Giants - who are tied with the Braves for second in the race - feature a stellar rotation with Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum at its helm. Over their final 10 games, the Rockies will have series against the Cardinals who should have their playoff ticket punched by the start of the series, three games against the Brewers and a final series against the Dodgers who should also have the division wrapped up. The Giants, meanwhile, will play against the Cubs, Diamondbacks and Padres – all teams who are closer to a spot on the golf course than in the post season.

One thing is for sure, even if the Braves miss out on the playoffs this season, they can take pride in their stellar record and what appears to be a very exciting future.

News&Notes: Poor Martin Prado, if it’s not unexplained headaches it’s a ball ramming into his knee during batting practice…Chipper Jones stands only three homeruns away from having his 15th straight season with 20 homeruns. If he can get the required dingers, he’ll be the only person to accomplish that feat…In addition to announcing the signing of Bobby Cox, the Braves have announced they will retain their current coaching staff.

(Photo: AP)