Fan Confidence in Braves remains strong heading into postseason

Welcome to SB Nation FanPulse, a survey of fans across MLB. Each week, we send 30 polls to plugged in fans from each team. Braves fans, sign up HERE to join FanPulse.

As the Atlanta Braves play out the string, not much has changed in regards to fan confidence heading into the postseason. The Braves to this point have enjoyed a banner season. A second straight division championship when basically every expert gave them little to no chance of repeating. This Atlanta team however feels a bit different than the one we saw in 2018. In many respects it felt like that squad arrived perhaps a year early and was just happy to be back in the postseason after enduring a string of 90-loss seasons.

This squad feels different. This isn’t a group that is just satisfied making the postseason. They have their eyes on an ultimate goal which would be a World Series title.

As the Braves have entered the final week, they are dealing with several nagging injuries. Ronald Acuña Jr. was shut down earlier this week due to what is now being called a left groin strain. Freddie Freeman missed both games in Kansas City with a sore elbow that has become troublesome although he is expected to rejoin the team Friday in New York. Ender Inciarte could also return Friday and will be looking to show that his hamstring injury is sufficiently recovered enough to warrant inclusion on the team’s postseason roster.

With that as a backdrop, this week’s FanPulse results show confidence in the direction of the team dip slightly to 98% after four straight weeks at 99%. Subsequently, Brian Snitker’s approval rating holds steady at 93% this week.

This week’s national question centered on award voting and whether or not season-ending injuries by Mike Trout and Christian Yelich should impact their MVP chances. My opinion is that injuries shouldn’t impact their MVP candidacy and I feel that Trout is still the overwhelming favorite in the American League. I am not completely sure Yelich should be the MVP in the NL but he is certainly in the Top 3. Sixty-six percent of FanPulse voters agreed that both Trout and Yelich’s cases shouldn’t be hurt by their injuries which is a bet less than I was expecting.

That is all for this week. Let us know what you think in the comments below. FanPulse voting will continue through the postseason so there is still time for you to get on board and be a part. Just go to this link to get signed up!