Braves’ Wild Card Standings Continue to Drop After Another Disheartening Loss
As the Braves’ season progresses, each defeat brings new lows for a team that had high hopes at the start. Thursday night’s loss was no exception.
Entering New York on a four-game losing streak to face the in-form Mets, the Braves needed a win with ace Chris Sale on the mound. The 35-year-old was nearly flawless, pitching 7.1 innings with nine strikeouts and allowing only three baserunners. However, one of the two hits he allowed was a two-run homer by Francisco Lindor.
Despite Sale’s effort, the Braves’ offense struggled, with the bottom four hitters in the lineup averaging no higher than .184. Scoring has been particularly challenging for them, especially with runners in scoring position since the All-Star break.
The Braves managed to tie the game in the sixth inning with a Travis d’Arnaud RBI single. Yet, the final two innings highlighted the team’s current struggles. In the ninth, Eddie Rosario’s leadoff walk was followed by Whit Merrifield’s stolen base, but rookie Nacho Alvarez struck out, and Merrifield was thrown out trying to steal third, squandering their best chance.
In the 10th, the Braves had a runner on second, advanced to third by Orlando Arcia’s sacrifice bunt. But a critical mistake occurred when Ramon Laureano was picked off third after Jarred Kelenic’s bunt attempt, ending the inning.
In the bottom half, Pierce Johnson struck out two batters but allowed an intentional walk. With Jeff McNeil at the plate, Johnson forced a routine flyball to right field, but Laureano misplayed it, leading to a Mets’ walk-off win—arguably the Braves’ worst loss of the season given the circumstances.
With over two months left, the Braves are 9.5 games behind the Phillies in the NL East. The division isn’t the primary concern; they’re barely holding onto a National League Wild Card spot. The Mets trail by just 0.5 games, the Padres by 1.0, and the Cardinals by 1.5.
The Braves are spiraling, with a lineup more fitting for AAA. Without impactful trade deadline moves, they risk missing the postseason for the first time since 2017.
Leave a Reply