The Atlanta Braves’ 2024 Season: A Rocky Road Ahead
To call the Braves’ 2024 season rocky might be an understatement. The Atlanta Braves, a team that has consistently been a powerhouse in the National League, have faced a series of unfortunate setbacks that have left fans and analysts alike questioning their postseason prospects.
Injury Woes
The first half of the season was particularly brutal for the Braves, as they suffered massive injuries to key players. The loss of Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. to season-ending injuries was a devastating blow. Strider, a young ace with a bright future, was expected to be a cornerstone of the pitching staff, while Acuña, one of the most electrifying players in baseball, was a critical part of the Braves’ offensive lineup.
Adding to the team’s struggles were the extended absences of Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies. Both players are integral to the Braves’ success, and their injuries have left significant gaps in both the batting order and the field. The Braves’ depth has been tested, and unfortunately, it has not held up as well as they had hoped.
Offensive Struggles
While Marcell Ozuna has been a bright spot in the lineup, the Braves’ offense has not looked anything like it did last season. Riley struggled out of the gate, and Acuña’s performance before his injury was below his usual standards. Young stars like Michael Harris II and Sean Murphy have also found it challenging to replicate their impressive 2023 production.
The inconsistency at the plate has made it difficult for the Braves to string together wins. The team has relied heavily on Ozuna, but baseball is a team sport, and one player cannot carry the entire offensive load. The Braves need their stars to step up if they hope to make a late-season push.
A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the challenges, there are signs of life in the Braves’ lineup. Matt Olson has begun to heat up, providing a much-needed boost to the offense. Meanwhile, Chris Sale, who has made a remarkable comeback this season, is barreling toward a potential Cy Young Award. His resurgence could be a game-changer for the Braves, especially if they can harness his momentum down the stretch.
The Braves are hoping to replicate their 2021 magic, when they caught fire at the right time and made a deep postseason run. With the right combination of timely hitting and strong pitching, anything is possible in the unpredictable world of baseball.
Current Standings and Wild-Card Picture
As of now, the Braves (83-71) find themselves two games out of a wild-card spot in the National League, trailing the Padres, Diamondbacks, and Mets. The wild-card race is tight, and every game counts as the season winds down.
Here are the latest wild-card standings as of September 20:
- WC1: Padres, 87-66 (.571), +3.0 GB
- WC2: Diamondbacks, 86-68 (.558), +1.0 GB
- WC3: Mets, 85-69 (.552)
- Braves: 83-71 (.539), 2.0 GB
- Cubs: 79-75 (.513), 6.0 GB
- Cardinals: 77-77 (.500), ELIMINATED
- Giants: 75-79 (.487), ELIMINATED
- Reds: 75-80 (.484), ELIMINATED
- Pirates: 72-82 (.468), ELIMINATED
- Nationals: 68-86 (.442), ELIMINATED
- Rockies: 59-95 (.383), ELIMINATED
- Marlins: 57-97 (.370), ELIMINATED
The Braves still control their fate despite sitting on the outside looking in. They have a crucial three-game series against the Mets to start the final week of the season, providing a prime opportunity to gain ground on a direct competitor for the wild-card spot.
Remaining Schedule
The Braves’ remaining schedule is pivotal as they look to secure a postseason berth. Here’s a look at their upcoming games:
- Sept. 21: at Marlins, 4:10 p.m.
- Sept. 22: at Marlins, 1:40 p.m.
- Sept. 24: vs. Mets, 7:20 p.m.
- Sept. 25: vs. Mets, 7:20 p.m.
- Sept. 26: vs. Mets, 7:20 p.m.
- Sept. 27: vs. Royals, 7:20 p.m.
- Sept. 28: vs. Royals, 7:20 p.m.
- Sept. 29: vs. Royals, 3:20 p.m.
Each game is critical, and the Braves must capitalize on these matchups to stay in the playoff hunt.
Elimination Numbers and Playoff Scenarios
As the Braves are currently outside of the postseason picture, they do not have a magic number. Instead, they face an elimination number, which indicates how many losses they can afford before being knocked out of contention. The Mets, holding the final wild-card spot, have an elimination number of seven against the Braves. This means that any combination of Braves losses and Mets wins totaling nine will end Atlanta’s season.
Tiebreaker Scenarios
With the expanded postseason format introduced in 2022, tiebreaker games have been eliminated. Instead, head-to-head records will determine playoff positioning. If the Braves and Mets finish with identical records, their head-to-head performance will be the first tiebreaker. Currently, the season series is tied at 5-5, making their upcoming series even more critical.
As the Braves navigate this tumultuous season, fans remain hopeful that their team can overcome adversity and make a late-season surge. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether Atlanta can extend its postseason streak or face an early exit from the playoff picture.