The Atlanta Braves’ offensive struggles finally caught up with them yesterday when Luke Jackson faltered in the seventh inning, allowing three runs that led to a Nationals victory and prevented a series sweep. Injuries have plagued Atlanta’s lineup, resulting in just 19 runs scored over their last seven games. Despite this, the Braves managed to go 5-2 during that stretch, largely due to a pitching staff that has been nothing short of dominant. However, if the Braves are to keep their playoff hopes alive, their offense needs to step up, and another injury to a key player could be disastrous.
Yesterday, it seemed like disaster might strike. In the first inning, Michael Harris was hit on the wrist by a pitch, eerily similar to what happened to Austin Riley just last week. Although Harris initially stayed in the game, he eventually exited to undergo further tests. Given how this season has gone, many feared the worst. However, in a rare bit of good news, the tests revealed no fracture.
This marks one of the few times this season that the Braves have received positive injury news. Losing Michael Harris would have been a severe blow to the team’s already slim playoff hopes, especially with key players like Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, Spencer Strider, Ozzie Albies, and A.J. Minter already sidelined.
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The fact that the Braves remain 10 games above .500 and still in the playoff hunt despite these injuries speaks volumes about the dominance of their pitching staff. When you have a group of pitchers capable of shutting down any lineup on any given night, you always have a chance to win. This has become the new formula for success in Atlanta. It may not be the same as last year, but as the past week has shown, it can still be effective.
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