Are the holes getting filled?

The Braves have been the hottest team in baseball so far this season, notching an 11-1 record and a nine game win streak. In spite of their record, they have had two notable holes in their lineup, Jason Heyward and B.J. Upton.

Going into yesterday's game Heyward and B.J. Upton, two very high profile players with great expectations were combined batting under .200. The Braves were expecting 30 home run years from both of them, but the first 11 games showed nothing but disappointment and concern. Why is it that two players who have proven to be heavy hitters each faced instant slumps?

Last season Heyward batted .269 with 27 home runs and 86 RBIs, and a Gold Glove award, just for good measure. Upton has never been known for having a high batting average, last year compiling just .246. He always has made up for his low average with his speed and power, blasting 28 home runs last season while swiping 31 bags.

But what's different about this season for these guys? They have proven themselves to be solid players who can help their teams put some wins up. Is Heyward trying to live up to the expectations that have been hanging over him since before he played a day in Atlanta? Is B.J. trying to show up his little brother, who just two spots away in the lineup is having an MVP caliber season?

Yesterday was an encouraging game. Upton compiled two doubles and a single, giving him a total of seven hits, three extra base. Heyward went 1-4 with a double and an RBI. Sometimes all it takes is that one game to turn a season around for a player, and hopefully with both of them showing their potential, yesterday will be that game.

The Braves victories are almost illogical. This season has already seen two of the worst starts any Braves players have seen, the three year curse of Dan Uggla, a struggling Andrelton Simmons, and injuries to Freddie Freeman, Brian McCann, and Jonny Venters, they still have managed to pull in the best record in baseball by 2.5 games and a four game lead in the division. If this is how they play with injuries and slumps, what will happen to this team when they are firing on all cylinders?