ATLANTA -- Though the conclusion might have been painful, this past season’s journey proved rewarding for the Braves, who captured a second straight National League East title with the strength of a nucleus capable of extending Atlanta’s World Series aspirations for many years to come.

Within some of 2019’s most memorable moments, we witnessed growth and reasons to be optimistic about what 2020 might bring.

Here are five of those moments:

1. NLDS Game 3 win
Oct. 6 vs. Cardinals

Mike Soroka dazzled over seven innings during his first postseason start and his gem was preserved when the Braves avoided a shutout by scoring three ninth-inning runs in their 3-1 win at Busch Stadium. After Brian McCann was intentionally walked with two outs to put runners at first and second, Dansby Swanson laced a game-tying double. Swanson scored when Adam Duvall followed with a game-winning, two-run single.

What does it tell us about 2020?

As Soroka limited the Cardinals to two hits and one run over seven innings, he showed he has that big-game gene that will allow him to move closer toward establishing himself as a legit ace. The Braves might acquire another frontline starter this winter. But with Soroka, they know they have something special. This ninth inning highlighted the impressive NLDS performance produced by Swanson, whose strong October showing allowed him to enter the offseason with the confidence that had been tested over the regular season’s final month.

2. Comeback in Cleveland
April 20 vs. Indians

Trailing 7-3 with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning, the Braves were staring at the possibility of being swept in a doubleheader. But Ozzie Albies delivered a two-run single, Freddie Freeman drew a bases-loaded walk and Ronald Acuña Jr. completed an improbable comeback with a go-ahead, two-run double that gave Atlanta an 8-7 win.

What does it tell us about 2020?

Given we’re focusing on an inning during which five walks (four before the go-ahead run scored) were drawn, it might seem odd to focus on the plate discipline of the guy who delivered the game-winning double. But Acuña’s greatness is a product of his ability to consistently stay within himself when presented run-scoring opportunities. With two outs and runners in scoring position, he has produced a .454 on-base percentage and .910 OPS. Jason Heyward (.479) is the only player in MLB history to produce a better OBP in these situations through his age 21-year-old season. The only players to produce a better OPS in these situations through this stage of their respective careers are Hank Aaron (1.082), Heyward (1.044), Johnny Bench (.952), Freddie Lindstrom (.949), Jimmie Foxx (.914) and Mickey Mantle (.914).

3. Division clincher
Sept. 20 vs. Giants

Before McCann created a feel-good moment with his two-run homer in the sixth, Freeman produced a first-inning sacrifice fly that provided all of the necessary support for Mike Foltynewicz, who scattered three hits over eight scoreless innings. The 6-0 win gave the Braves consecutive division titles for the first time since they won their 14th straight in 2005, which was McCann’s rookie season.

What does it tell us about 2020?

Unfortunately, many will remember Foltynewicz was on the mound when the Cardinals scored 10 runs in the first inning of the Braves' season-ending Game 5 loss in the NLDS. But that inning could have evolved different without Freeman’s error, and over the previous six weeks Foltynewicz had shown he could be a big-game pitcher. Foltynewicz’s performance during the division clincher highlighted the seven-start stretch during which he produced a 1.73 ERA and proved he can be relied upon once again next year.

4. Bullpen shines at Citi
Aug. 23 vs. Mets

Acuña joined the 30/30 club by stealing second base in the eighth inning and Foltynewicz allowed one run over seven innings. Billy Hamilton’s RBI single decided this 2-1, 14-inning win over the Mets. But the key development occurred as six Atlanta relievers combined to throw seven scoreless innings.

What does it tell us about 2020?

Closer Mark Melancon, Shane Greene , Luke Jackson and Sean Newcomb were among the relievers who blanked the Mets that night. Melancon, Greene, Jackson and former All-Star Darren O'Day are all projected to begin next season in Atlanta’s bullpen. Newcomb could also once again be used as a reliever if there is not a need for him to fill one of the final rotation spots. The Braves’ bullpen struggled during the first two weeks of August. But the 3.19 ERA produced after Aug. 16 creates hope for more late-inning stability in 2020.

5. Now a threat from both sides
Sept. 14 vs. Nationals

The Braves essentially wrapped the division race with this 10-1 win over the Nationals, who fell 10.5 games back with what was their 11th loss in the past 15 games against Atlanta. The decisive four-run seventh inning was marred by Charlie Culberson getting hit in the face with a Fernando Rodney fastball. But it also featured an Albies RBI double, one of the three hits the second baseman recorded against a right-handed pitcher that afternoon.

What does it tell us about 2020?

Albies improving his .757 OPS from 2018 to .852 in 2019 was not simply a product of him avoiding a second straight disappointing second half. The switch-hitting infielder’s most significant development was witnessed as he produced a .778 OPS from the left side of the plate. Right-handers had limited him to a .696 OPS in 2018. The 22-year-old Curacao native continued to thrive from the right side of the plate and made significant strides from the left side. He constructed a .827 OPS over 181 plate appearances against right-handers dating back to Aug. 1.