[vincesanity82]

It doesn’t matter if the Braves catch the Mets. Going on recent history, it’d be better if they didn’t. The idea isn’t to win the NL East. The idea is to make the playoffs. In the wild-card era of baseball, that’s all it takes.Four wild cards have won the World Series in the past decade. Only once in that span — heck, only once since 1989 — has the team holding baseball’s best record done it.The Mets don’t have to fall apart for the Braves to have a chance at the World Series. The Braves have to finish ahead of only the Padres, who don’t have much hitting, and the Phillies, who don’t have much pitching, and the Rockies and Cubs and Brewers, who don’t have much history. Because at this moment, these Braves seem as good a bet as any to win 11 postseason games.

That’s provided they get there.
“Anybody could win,” said Bobby Cox, speaking of the playoffs in general, and pretty much anybody keeps doing it. The Tigers were considered dead last season after they blew the AL Central in the final weekend, and they wound up in the World Series. The Cardinals were, on the record, the second-worst playoff team in baseball history, and they reign as world champs.Asked if the Braves hold any doubt that they have what it takes to win in October, Jeff Francoeur said: “Absolutely not. There’s a big difference between this year’s team and last year’s." Francoeur again: “We’ve got [John] Smoltz and Huddy [Tim Hudson], and that’s the 1-2 punch you need. You need power pitching in October. You need a couple of starters and a bullpen.”

Mark Bradley: If Braves make playoffs, they can win it all | Sports Columnists | ajc.com

[EmpireWF]

Let's see if that bullpen is worth any salt before we crown them the Champs.