X-Factors: These players could be difference-makers for Atlanta

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY SportsThe Braves’ 2018 season was nothing short of spectacular. No one, not even ardent fans, expected the Braves to ride a wave of fun, young talent all the way to a division title. A team that was projected to go 72-90 instead went 90-72, laughing and hugging the whole way through.

So how did they do it? The simple answer is that a bunch of young and mostly unproven players, led by young phenom Ronald Acuña, Jr., played much better than expected. While good production from established veterans like Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis played a vital role, those two players had been a part of the prior three losing seasons for the Braves (four seasons for Freeman). It…