The Braves’ offensive struggles finally caught up with them yesterday when Luke Jackson couldn’t hold the fort in the seventh inning, allowing three runs and leading to a Nationals win that prevented a sweep. The injuries plaguing Atlanta’s lineup are clearly affecting their performance, as the offense has only scored 19 runs in the last seven games. Despite this, the Braves managed a 5-2 record during that stretch, thanks to their exceptional pitching staff. However, for the Braves to secure a playoff spot, they need to improve their offense, and another major injury could be devastating.
Yesterday’s game highlighted this vulnerability. In the first inning, Michael Harris was hit on the wrist by a pitch, similar to the injury Austin Riley suffered last week. Although Harris continued to play, he eventually left the game for further evaluation. Given the season’s trend, many feared the worst, but fortunately, the tests showed no fracture.
Braves say no fracture for Harris. He's day-to-day
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 25, 2024
This is one of the rare instances this season where the news has been positive. Losing Harris would have been a severe blow to the Braves’ slim playoff hopes, which are already precarious without Ronald Acuña Jr. and other key players like Austin Riley, Spencer Strider, Ozzie Albies, and A.J. Minter.
The fact that the Braves remain 10 games over .500 and in the playoff hunt despite lacking offensive power underscores the dominance of their pitching staff. With pitchers capable of neutralizing any lineup on any given night, the Braves have a chance to win. This new approach, though different from last year, has proven effective in recent weeks.
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