Losing the mid-week series to the Boston Red Sox wasn’t something any Braves fan was going to fret, especially with the second-place Phillies scuffling; however, no one planned to have their hearts ripped out by the best team in baseball on Wednesday afternoon.
After watching their bullpen blow a six-run lead in the top of the 8th inning, Atlanta rebounded and jumped back on top thanks to a huge pinch-hit home-run by Freddie Freeman. As we all know, the Braves lead would not remain, as former Atlanta second-baseman, Brandon Phillips, hit a two-run home-run off of AJ Minter in the top of the ninth inning.
Not only did Phillips’ bomb give the Red Sox the series-sweep over the Braves, it was awarded by many as Atlanta’s toughest and most-heartbreaking loss of 2018 – understandably so.
I can’t imagine what the Braves long flight to Arizona must’ve been like later that day, but if there’s one thing I do know for sure, none of the players or coaches were feeling sorry for themselves. Per usual, the Braves re-grouped and got ready for one of the biggest road-series of the year versus the postseason-hopeful, Arizona Diamondbacks.
In one of the most season-defining series’ of 2018, the Braves were able to take three out of four games from the Diamondbacks, increasing their lead in the NL East to 4.5 games with only 19 games left. It may have taken two extra-inning wins and one ninth-inning comeback, but Atlanta ultimately found a way to get the job done. Once again, proving that this team has what it takes to win the NL East.
As much as we all love the Braves, no one saw this type of success coming from them this season. This group has consistently exceeded expectations, while proving to be one of the best teams in Major League Baseball. With only a few weeks remaining in the regular season, Atlanta is definitely trending in the right diretction.