Why Braves Could Benefit From Delayed Opening Day

The Atlanta Braves looked to bounce back after a rather embarrassing NLDS Game 5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at the start of the 2020 regular season. However, the coronavirus pandemic postponed the start of Opening Day for an indefinite period of time.

We're left looking for positives in a rather terrifying global situation, but the Braves can actually benefit from such a delay.

First and foremost, this postponement allows free agent acquisition Cole Hamels to recover from his current ailment. The Braves signed the former Chicago Cub to a one-year, $18 million contract this winter, with the goal of putting their starting rotation over the edge.

However, Hamels never made it to Spring Training, as he suffered a shoulder injury while training from home, leaving his status up in the air. Weeks later, manager Brian Snitker revealed that Hamels would miss all of April due to his ailing shoulder. Now with the league suspended for a lengthy period of time, that allows Hamels to get himself back to 100%, without having to feel enticed to rush the rehabilitation process.

Additionally, the lengthy delay will allow star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. to get his mind right for the start of the season. Even though he had an MVP-caliber season in 2019, Acuña struggled throughout spring training, where he accumulated a .138 batting average and 14 strikeouts in 31 plate appearances. This extra time off will allow Acuña to workout individually, while also ensuring he enters the 2020 season with that same confidence he had in the first two years of his MLB career.

The Braves, like many other teams, can use this extra time off to improve their odds of success once Opening Day is ready to commence.