Today we look at five players from the NL East who benefit most from a shortened, 60-game MLB season.
As we enter the middle of July and continue to wait for a return from MLB, let us take a look at one player from each NL East team who may find an advantage in a shortened 60-game season in 2020.
Atlanta Braves: Cole Hamels
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The Atlanta Braves once again enter the upcoming season with sky-high expectations, and for good reason: they have a roster loaded with talent that seems destined to bring them into a deep playoff run.
In one of the most surprising acquisitions of the off-season, the Braves inked Hamels to a 1 yr/ $18 million contract. The 36-year-old lefty is obviously most known for his time spent with the NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies, where he played a crucial role in delivering a 2008 Championship to Philadelphia before being named the World Series MVP of that year.
Now, 12 years later, Hamels is well beyond his prime. His health has been declining as expected for most pitchers his age. A 60-game season allows Hamels to compete short-term for Atlanta without having to worry about making it through an entire season in one piece. As many have already stated, the 2020 season is a sprint where others were marathons. If this year happens to be Hamels’ final one as a Major Leaguer, then he can throw caution to the wind and compete now. The threat of an injury-plagued final season seems much more minuscule with 60 games rather than 162.
Don’t expect a Josh Donaldson-caliber resurgence in Atlanta again this season, but don’t be surprised if Hamels takes a few small steps forward from his more recent performances.