RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Braves might have a major lineup problem that could end their season originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The Atlanta Braves just had a brutal stretch of games where they allowed the Philadelphia Phillies to make up significant ground in the NL East.
Heading into games on Wednesday, August 26, the Braves were just 4.5 games up on the Phillies. With a month to go and seven games against the Phillies, that's plenty of time for the Braves to lose their lead.
If that were to happen, it might not be due to the starting rotation, as many fans would believe after the trade deadline. Instead, as Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller highlighted, it could be their lineup, with "too many holes," that causes the team's regression.
Braves' lineup holes could lead to NL East collapse
"Atlanta Braves: Too Many Holes in the Lineup," Miller writes. "During the 45-21 start to the season, the Braves offense was relentless, averaging 5.2 runs per game. But since then, Drake Baldwin, Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, and especially Dominic Smith have all regressed, while 'Atlanta shortstop' has remained a season-long disaster."
The Braves have averaged just 4.1 runs per game while going 31-34 since their hot start came to a close. A regression from the offense has been a huge reason for the team's struggles lately.
In their last 30 days, Matt Olson is the only qualified hitter with an OPS above .740. Michael Harris has a .738 OPS, and Austin Riley has a .725 OPS.
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Eli White has a 1.200 OPS, though he's now with the Boston Red Sox . Mike Yastresemski has an .847 OPS, but he's not played enough to qualify in the last 30 days.
Sean Murphy has a .394 OPS, Dominic Smith has a .588 OPS, Albies a .612, and Baldwin a .624 in the last month. Even Acuna, their superstar outfielder, has just a .647 OPS over the last month.
The Braves' offense has really struggled this season as of late, and it could wind up being the reason why the Braves either lose the NL East lead to the Phillies or get bounced in October.
Unless the offense can start clicking again, which is entirely possible, this offensive regression will remain a major "red flag" for the Braves this season.
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