What Went Wrong: Were Injuries REALLY the Problem?

You know, we really should be commending the Atlanta Braves this season. After all, this team had so many injuries on the squad. Key players from all positions. Ronald Acuna, Jr. was out yet again. It was a disaster, yet the Braves survived. They rose from the proverbial ashes and persevered. The Braves managed to snag one of the National League's three Wild Card spots, doing so in the second game of the makeshift doubleheader that was played on September 30.

The Braves were looking to regain the glory they had three years prior. The irony regarding that 2021 championship: Acuna was injured and out that year, too. In their quest to cover for the injuries, the Braves brought back a big time ally: 2021 World Series MVP Jorge Soler. The team, even with the injuries, looked like they would be on the verge of something really good.

And then Game One happened.

Braves were absolutely shut down in Game One of the Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres, but in Game Two, the Braves did score first. However, that was followed by a five run second inning from San Diego, and despite Atlanta's best efforts (in the form of two homers--a solo and a two run shot), it was not enough.

It can be said that the Braves should be considered fortunate to make it this far despite missing many players all year. Even so, they did get to this point. So what went wrong? It can be said that it's the same thing that plagued them last year: an obsession with the long ball.

All four of Atlanta's runs were scored in Game Two, and all but one were driven in via the home run. It had been said last year that the Braves were too focused on attempting to surpass the 2019 Minnesota Twins' home run mark (which they would match), and that led to the Braves being ousted by the Philadelphia Phillies again. Regarding this year, it does appear to be that same problem. Michael Harris II delivered the two-run shot late in Game Two, and ended up leading the team in RBIs in their short postseason run. Jorge Soler also homered in that same game, and the only non-HR RBI came from Marcell Ozuna, one of only two stalwarts who played all 162 games for the Braves. The only other 2024 Iron Man was Matt Olson, and as usual, he fizzled. Olson went 1-for-7 in the short series.

The woes continue for the Braves. They have not won a postseason series since winning the Fall Classic in 2021. This current stretch looks eerily similar to their run in the 1990s and early 2000s. We remember that run. 14 straight division titles between 1991-2005. Only five pennants won, and only one of those pennants resulted in a championship. This current postseason run has reached seven seasons, and they've only won once. It's the same old song.

So with their Wild Card Series sweep, the San Diego Padres will now face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series, a rematch from 2022--which saw the Padres upset the Dodgers. As for the Braves, we will see the gang all back together, so we should see the team really flourish in 2025. Though it should be interesting to see who they'll go after during this upcoming offseason. After all, they are trying to keep up with the Dodgers and Phillies.

If you like this story, click the heart and the subscribe button, and feel free to comment below! Tips and pledges would be greatly appreciated, but only if you want to do so!