Despite being 10 games over .500 at 31-21, Braves Country has been beaten down this season. It’s primarily been two things — a terrible offense and injuries.
After breaking records en route to one of the greatest offensive seasons from a team in MLB history, Atlanta’s bats have been quiet (outside of Marcell Ozuna). Everyone from Matt Olson, who broke the franchise record for home runs last season, to Austin Riley, who has become a perennial MVP candidate, is struggling.
However, the team still remains 10 games over .500 and in control of their own destiny thanks to a few Cy Young candidates in Max Fried, Chris Sale, and Reynaldo Lopez. It’s not the shoddy offense that really has the Braves fan base down in the dumps, though; it’s the injuries.
First, it was Sean Murphy, who went down with an oblique injury. Then it was Spencer Strider, who has been sidelined for the rest of the season after undergoing elbow surgery. Over the next month or so, Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies would both miss some time.
Then, over Memorial Day Weekend, reigning MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered his second torn ACL. Losing a talent like Acuña is bad for the sport, not just the Braves. His energy is infectious. From the grassroots in America to South America; every kid wants to be like Ronald Acuña Jr.
While we can sulk and feel sorry for ourselves and the young man himself, the Braves cannot stand around and do the same. The organization has to move forward, but how exactly do they do that?
Chase and I dig into how the Braves can pull themselves together and get out from the wake of Ronald Acuña Jr.’s devastating injury on the latest episode of SportsTalkATL.
You can catch SportsTalkATL on The Fox 5 Local App every Monday-Friday from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET. Segments like the one below can also be found on our YouTube channel (@SportsTalkATL).
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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