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The Atlanta Braves have found recent success at the plate, leading to a four-game winning streak that was snapped Wednesday night in Arizona versus the Diamondbacks. Even in defeat, the Braves still scored five runs behind a two-run homerun by Marcell Ozuna that tied it in the eighth inning. But yesterday saw something that this Braves team does not see very often: a bad outing by the bullpen. In baseball, bad outings happen, and it s not really a cause for concern for the Braves immediate success, but what about the playoffs? It is assumed that the Braves will finish the season no worse than competing for the National League Wild Card, but they may need to add an arm or two to solidify a postseason run. If the season ended now, the playoff rotation would likely consist of Chris Sale, Max Fried, and Reynaldo Lopez, which does not sound like a bad situation with two of those players being named to the All-Star Team this season. But do we really know who Reynaldo Lopez is? Sure, he is having an All-Star caliber first half, but so was Bryce Elder last year, and we all know how that has turned out. He could remain consistent and great, but what if he wears down? It has been years since Lopez has shouldered a load this large. Would that then mean that Charlie Morton would be that third starter? Last year, a blister popped up at playoff time, and you have to cross your fingers every time that Charlie goes out that the curveball is curving. With the trade deadline quickly approaching, Andy Bunker and Randy McMichael discuss the Braves' recent successes, as well as opportunities to make the team better. 

<p>The Atlanta Braves have found recent success at the plate, leading to a four-game winning streak that was snapped Wednesday night in Arizona versus the Diamondbacks. Even in defeat, the Braves still scored five runs behind a two-run homerun by Marcell Ozuna that tied it in the eighth inning. But yesterday saw something that this Braves team does not see very often: a bad outing by the bullpen. In baseball, bad outings happen, and it s not really a cause for concern for the Braves immediate success, but what about the playoffs? It is assumed that the Braves will finish the season no worse than competing for the National League Wild Card, but they may need to add an arm or two to solidify a postseason run. If the season ended now, the playoff rotation would likely consist of Chris Sale, Max Fried, and Reynaldo Lopez, which does not sound like a bad situation with two of those players being named to the All-Star Team this season. But do we really know who Reynaldo Lopez is? Sure, he is having an All-Star caliber first half, but so was Bryce Elder last year, and we all know how that has turned out. He could remain consistent and great, but what if he wears down? It has been years since Lopez has shouldered a load this large. Would that then mean that Charlie Morton would be that third starter? Last year, a blister popped up at playoff time, and you have to cross your fingers every time that Charlie goes out that the curveball is curving. With the trade deadline quickly approaching, Andy Bunker and Randy McMichael discuss the Braves' recent successes, as well as opportunities to make the team better. </p>

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