Atlanta Braves: 3 reasons to be concerned despite hot start

SAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 17: Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates his two-run home run with Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 in the first inning against the San Diego Padres April 17, 2023 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 17: Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates his two-run home run with Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 in the first inning against the San Diego Padres April 17, 2023 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
1 of 4

The Atlanta Braves are off to a hot start this season despite clear roster concerns and injury issues. The Mets’ ineptitude and the Phillies’ poor start opened the door for the Braves to run away with the NL East for the first quarter of the season.

However, Atlanta’s bar for success isn’t simply winning their division or making the postseason. This is a team that is only two years removed from winning the World Series and clearly was a favorite last season before the Phillies’ hot October shook up the National League bracket.

Atlanta’s reasons for concern aren’t about the team’s regular season, but rather about the team heading into October and whether or not they will be able to take that next step once again. Aside from the injury issues this is a team that obviously can fix their roster issues with a GM that has proven very adept at adding impact players at the trade deadline.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at the three biggest issues facing the Braves as we near the summer.