The Atlanta Braves are grappling with a challenging phase in their season, as general manager Alex Anthopoulos candidly acknowledged the team’s recent struggles. Following a season-high fifth consecutive loss—a 4-2 defeat against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday—the Braves find themselves in a difficult position.
“I don’t normally do scrums during the season, because we’ve done well,” Anthopoulos told reporters before the game. “If I’m doing them, that means we’re not playing well.”
Having secured over 100 wins in each of the past two seasons, the Braves entered the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) season with high expectations. Currently holding a 35-30 record, they sit in second place in the National League East Division, trailing the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies by 10.5 games.
“The Phillies are obviously playing exceptionally well—best team arguably in the game right now—but it’s about making sure you get to the playoffs one way or the other,” Anthopoulos commented. “Right now, the NL, I bet you if you took a lot of these teams and these front offices, they’d tell you the same thing. No one’s playing the way they thought they would—barring Brewers, Dodgers, Phillies.”
The Braves have been aiming to extend their streak of six consecutive NL East titles, a period highlighted by their 2021 World Series victory. However, injuries have compounded their challenges this season. Top pitcher Spencer Strider is out following elbow surgery, and reigning NL Most Valuable Player Ronald Acuña Jr. has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign due to a knee injury.
“The offensive issues seem like they’re spread across the league,” Anthopoulos noted. “A lot of GMs are saying the same thing. People feel like they’re not hitting the way they can.”
With the season yet to reach its midpoint, the Braves have time to realign and push for a playoff spot. However, overcoming the current deficit will require significant effort and resilience from the team.
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GM Alex Anthopoulos admits Atlanta Braves 'not playing well'
cgtn.com
