The Atlanta Braves weren't exactly World Series favorites heading into the 2017 Major League Baseball season. However, through seven games of their schedule, they have just one win and that's well below standard for even the weakest teams. Naturally, questions are going to arise in an attempt to explain what's going on with Atlanta. For certain, one factor could be that they have started the season on a road trip and have yet to play in their friendly home park. However, there are a few players that have underachieved thus far for Atlanta, especially at the top of their Batting Order.
Inciarte and Swanson aren't helping
Ender Inciarte has certainly started the season in a slump. The centerfielder has logged the most at bats of any member of the Braves. However, thus far he has just a .152 batting average to show for it. Of his meager five hits, Inciarte has just one for extra bases. His OPS of .358 is well below his personal standards as he hit .732 with an OPS in 2016.
Dansby Swanson has also logged a ton of at bats for Atlanta. However, he is only doing marginally better than Inciarte with a batting average of .156 and two extra-base hits. On Tuesday night, Inciarte and Swanson batted first and second in the Braves' batting order. When your two biggest underachievers are taking the most at bats on your team, obviously things aren't going to go your way.
Neither player is getting on base enough for Freddie Freeman, who is playing well so far this season. If Swanson and Inciarte don't improve, then coach Brian Snitker is going to have to drop them in the batting order.
Pitching below average too
When it comes to pitching, the Braves are in the lower tier of teams. The team ERA is 4.43 and heading into Wednesday that makes them 21st in the Major Leagues.
Julio Teheran is the lone bright spot so far as he is yet to give up an earned run in two starts. However, a lack of run support has kept him at 0-0 for the year. Other than him, no Atlanta starter has been effective enough on the mound. Veteran Bartolo Colon is a case in point as the former New York Met has a 6.30 ERA in 10 innings pitched.
That Atlanta has played seven road games to start the season can't be overlooked. Teams generally play worse on the road than they do at home. The Braves will complete their road trip on Wednesday with a game at the Florida Marlins. After that, they return home for a four-game series against the Padres and a series against the Washington Nationals.
