A Rocky Road for the Braves in 2024
To call the Braves’ 2024 season rocky might be an understatement. The Atlanta franchise, which has been a perennial contender in recent years, has faced a barrage of challenges that have tested their resilience and depth. The first half of the season saw significant injuries to key players, including Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr., both of whom suffered season-ending injuries. The absence of Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies for extended periods only compounded the Braves’ struggles, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering how the team would navigate the turbulent waters of a competitive National League.
Offensive Struggles
Despite the Braves’ rich offensive history, the 2024 season has seen a stark contrast to their previous performances. Aside from Marcell Ozuna, who has managed to maintain a semblance of his offensive prowess, the rest of the lineup has struggled to find their rhythm. Austin Riley, who was expected to be a cornerstone of the offense, faltered out of the gate, as did Acuña before his unfortunate injury. Young stars like Michael Harris II and Sean Murphy have also found it challenging to replicate their impressive 2023 production, leading to a lack of consistency that has plagued the Braves throughout the season.
A Glimmer of Hope
However, there is a silver lining for the Braves as the season winds down. Matt Olson has begun to heat up at the plate, providing a much-needed boost to the lineup. Meanwhile, Chris Sale, who has made a remarkable comeback this season, is barreling toward a potential Cy Young Award. His resurgence has not only bolstered the Braves’ pitching staff but has also instilled a sense of hope among the players and fans. The Braves are hoping to channel the momentum from their 2021 championship run, where they caught fire at the right moment, into a late-season surge.
Wild-Card Picture
As of now, the Braves (86-71) find themselves just one game out of a wild-card spot in the National League, trailing the Padres, Diamondbacks, and Mets. The current wild-card standings are as follows:
- WC1: Padres, 91-67 (.576), +3.5 GB
- WC2: Mets, 87-70 (.554), +0.5
- WC3: Diamondbacks, 88-71 (.553)
- Braves: 86-71 (.548), 0.5 GB
Despite sitting on the outside looking in, the Braves still control their fate. With two crucial games remaining against the Mets, they have a golden opportunity to gain ground on New York. The fact that they are chasing two teams within reach—the Mets and Diamondbacks—adds to the intrigue of the final stretch of the season.
Remaining Schedule
The Braves’ final two games against the Mets were postponed due to Hurricane Helene, adding another layer of complexity to their playoff push. Here’s a look at their remaining schedule:
- Sept. 27: vs. Royals, 7:20 p.m.
- Sept. 28: vs. Royals, 7:20 p.m.
- Sept. 29: vs. Royals, 3:20 p.m.
- Sept. 30: vs. Mets, 1:10 p.m.
- Sept. 30: vs. Mets, 4:40 p.m.
These games are pivotal for the Braves as they look to solidify their position in the wild-card race.
Magic Number and Elimination Number
In the world of baseball, the concept of a magic number is crucial for teams vying for postseason berths. The Braves’ magic number currently stands at five, meaning they need a combination of wins and losses by the teams ahead of them to clinch a wild-card spot. Conversely, their elimination number is also five, indicating the number of losses they can afford before being officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Tiebreaker Scenarios
With the expanded postseason format introduced in 2022, the tiebreaker rules have changed significantly. Gone are the days of "Game 163." Now, head-to-head records determine tiebreakers, followed by division records and then league records if necessary. For the Braves, they currently hold a 6-5 edge in their season series against the Mets, but with two games left to play, the outcome could still shift.
As the Braves navigate this challenging season, the stakes are high, and every game counts. The team remains hopeful that they can turn their fortunes around and make a push for the postseason, reminiscent of their championship run just a few years ago.