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Wednesday, Sep. 02, 2009

Braves now focus on wild card

Back in 1995, baseball added the wild card as a chance for teams to make the postseason without having to win a division crown.

At first, I was a traditionalist and didn’t really like the idea. I loved the two division champs meeting in early October for a chance at the World Series. It was fine for the NFL, but there was no need for it in baseball.

Of course, back in the mid-1990s my favorite team was winning division titles, so the wildcard was rarely even mentioned as a consolation prize. The Braves won 14 straight division titles, so the wild card was almost frowned upon as a cheap way to make it to the postseason.

My how times have changed.

The Braves haven’t been in the playoffs since 2005, and they haven’t been to the NLCS since 2001. Now that they are trying to win a spot as a wild card team, the format no longer seems like a bad thing anymore.

I concede the Braves are probably not going to win the NL East. The Phillies are once again in control, and time is not on the Braves’ side. The wild card is now the more realistic goal.

The Braves entered Tuesday’s game in Florida three games behind the Rockies and the Giants in the wild-card race. With a month left in the regular season, the Braves have more than enough time to win the wild card race.

After all those division titles, maybe the Braves need to get into the playoffs as a wild card.

Maybe they wouldn’t have the pressure of being the favorites and would just play good baseball. Maybe they would just try to win for this season and worry about next season next year.

In a way, the run of division titles did get in the way of the Braves search for a second World Series title.

It’s not like being a wild card puts you at a huge disadvantage. Of the 28 teams that have been in the World Series since the wild card started, 10 of those teams have gotten in. Four of those teams actually won a title.

The wild-card format gives teams a second chance at getting into the postseason, and this year is a classic example. The Phillies, Cardinals and Dodgers all have significant leads in their divisions, so other teams have a shot at getting into the playoffs.

That will provide more drama in September, especially if those leaders run away with their divisions. The Braves and Marlins will still have a shot to catch the Giants and Rockies.

Atlanta has a solid chance at winning this race. Tim Hudson returned Tuesday night against the Marlins, and we all know how important good starting pitching can be in a race, and the Braves have arguably the best rotation in baseball.

It’s doubtful, however, the Braves will play in October unless Chipper Jones gets on track. Atlanta’s third baseman hit only .244 in August with 10 RBI. Matt Diaz and Adam LaRoche kept the Braves afloat as they won 17 games in August. But Jones must lead a run if the Braves are to play in October.

So maybe the wild card isn’t such a bad thing. That’s the best way for the Braves to not only make it to the playoffs, but to do something worthwhile once they get there.

Talk Braves Baseball with Bill from 3-6 p.m. today on The Bill Shanks Show on Fox Sports 1670 AM and online at www.foxsports1670.com.