The Atlanta Braves’ recent stretch of good baseball now seems like a distant memory. They had been playing decently, closing the gap on the Philadelphia Phillies as they entered the weekend series against the Miami Marlins. However, after splitting the four-game series and losing the last two at home, the Braves are left to regroup and find their rhythm.
Although it’s unlikely Atlanta will catch up to Philadelphia within the division, anything can happen in baseball. It’s frustrating when a team starts to gain momentum only to lose winnable games against a team they should beat. While Miami is a professional team with pride, Atlanta needed to take at least three of the four games.
A quote from Brian Snitker, shared by David O’Brien of The Athletic, sets the tone for the week ahead:
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“Glad we have an off day tomorrow so that we can get rid of this one, take a couple of showers. Because we were playing so good coming into this series, and won the first two games. Every time you get a foothold or something, you get smacked in the mouth and you’re right back having to get ‘er going again.”
Snitker shows resilience, but the season has been frustrating for Braves fans. Despite occasional signs of hope, the team hasn’t consistently flipped the switch to winning baseball. Atlanta now faces a three-game homestand against the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers, with time running out to show what they’re truly capable of.
Sunday’s 7-0 loss to the Marlins was particularly troubling, as it marked Max Fried’s first start since returning from the IL. When he’s on, Fried can be unhittable, but Sunday wasn’t one of those days. The good news is that Atlanta built a strong cushion earlier in the summer, making a playoff spot likely, though their potential may only carry them as far as a first-round exit in the NLWCS.
The Braves must pull together and maximize their potential before it’s too late.
