Computer projections and the smart people in Vegas have pegged the Braves to be one of the worst teams in baseball this year. That shouldn't come as a surprise. What you may not have realized is how brutal the Braves' schedule is during the first two months of the season.

Shout out to Buster Olney for first pointing this out last night:

That isn't even the full list of tough teams Atlanta will see early on.

Six games against the Nationals in the first 10 days, including four in D.C. The over/under on Bryce Harper homers is set at 3.5. The second home series of the season is against the Cardinals. There's a brief break with three in Miami, where the team generally plays well, and then there's this:

3 vs. Dodgers

3 vs. Mets

2 home, 2 away vs. Red Sox

3 @ Cubs

3 @ Mets

3 vs. Diamondbacks

3 vs. Phillies

3 @ Royals

That is insane. If the Braves somehow have a halfway decent record at the end of May, we can probably start construction on the John Coppolella statue.

All of this is to say, a bad season isn't the worst thing in the world. We all know help is on the way, and 2017 or 2018 is the more realistic timeframe for the club to be competitive. Another bad season would mean another high draft pick to add even more to a top-ranked farm system.

Opening Day is officially a week away. The Braves better be ready to go because the schedule is brutal.