The Atlanta Braves were one of the teams to watch for in the National League due to their roster talent and postseason experience. Talent and experience in the previous postseasons could only go so far. This is a season where fans and media have been cruel towards Braves manager Brian Snitker.
The Braves have been easily one of the most disappointing teams in the league as they’re in fourth place in the NL East. A lot of the blame could be placed on missing right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr., but that excuse couldnât be used after his return. Atlanta is 3-9 since Acuna has returned to the lineup from his ACL injury. This includes the four-game consecutive losing streak entering the three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants.
Braves Show Latest Disastrous Performance Against Diamondbacks
This is a team that has a chance to win a World Series title like they did in 2021, but this team lacks focus and execution. Last Thursday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks was another example of the team’s mismanagement from Snitker and the collapse of the bullpen. The Atlanta Braves entered the top of the ninth inning with a 10-4 lead.
Relief Scott Blewett allowed one run in the eighth inning and two more in the ninth. Blewett was replaced by Raisel Iglesias, who wouldn’t allow home runs to be made from the Diamondbacks, but he allowed Arizona to set up themselves for great scoring positions. Iglesias allowed four hits, one walk, and three runs in only 20 pitches.
After the disastrous game for the Braves versus the Diamondbacks on Friday, Brian Snitker talked not only about the teamâs inability to stay strong and take their first win in June but also about how bad the team is playing overall.
“We’re a good team, we’re not a bad team; we are a good team that’s playing bad right now. We’re all going to be miserable, and we should. We st.. (didn’t finish). We didn’t execute, we didn’t put the game away and we got to do that.”
Bravesâ Problems Arenât Temporary
Snitker had to stop himself from finishing the line âwe stinkâ for obvious reasons. There are certain points of the game where the Atlanta Braves do have problems.
Last Thursday’s game versus the Arizona Diamondbacks showed how much in rough shape the bullpen is. It isn’t just the bullpen that is playing badly; it’s the starters. Through the first three innings, the Braves have allowed 85 runs with an ERA of 4.03. The Braves have allowed 85 runs through the seventh to ninth innings in 19 fewer innings.
The Braves are not having the easiest time with their starting pitchers anyway. Spencer Strider (5.68 ERA in four starts), Bryce Elder (4.56 ERA in nine starts), and Grant Holmes (3.99 ERA in 12 starts) aren’t having the best starts to the season. Meanwhile, the Braves’ current best-starting pitcher, Chris Sale, has been on the trade block.
The Braves did make some moves with their roster by calling up veteran pitcher Craig Kimbrel from Triple-A. It comes after the Braves had to place right-handed pitcher Daysbel Hernandez on the 15-day IL and traded Blewett to the Baltimore Orioles.
These moves from last Friday arenât enough to temporarily save the Braves. If Atlanta wants to save their season and prepare for a good second half of the season, they need more efficiency from start to finish.
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