The Atlanta Braves Struggle in August: Which Players Are to Blame?
The Atlanta Braves have hit a rough patch in August, showing signs of vulnerability after dominating the first four months of the season. With a 72-41 record, they still hold the best record in baseball and a comfortable 10-game lead over the Phillies in the NL East. While they remain favorites for the playoffs and a potential World Series run, their recent performance has raised questions.
August started promisingly for the Braves, with three consecutive wins including an 8-0 victory against the Cubs. However, since then, they have stumbled with a 2-4 record, losing two games in Chicago and splitting a series against the lowly Pirates, culminating in a disappointing 7-5 loss on Thursday.
It’s only natural for a team to experience slumps throughout a grueling 162-game season. The Braves’ cold start to August falls into that category. Nevertheless, there are a few players who bear some responsibility for their recent struggles. While they won’t face immediate consequences like being released, the pressure is mounting for these players to turn things around quickly and escape the slump.
One player who has been underwhelming in August is catcher Sean Murphy, acquired from the Oakland A’s in an offseason trade. Murphy made his debut All-Star appearance this season and has been one of the best catchers in MLB overall. However, his performance has taken a hit lately.
In six appearances this month, Murphy has been struggling at the plate, boasting a modest .222 batting average, .364 on-base percentage, and .389 slugging percentage. He has managed just one extra-base hit and three RBI during this stretch. Furthermore, looking at his numbers over the last month, Murphy has hit a paltry .143 with a .487 OPS. While it’s worth mentioning that he has shown signs of improvement in his last four games, this dip in his hitting prowess has been detrimental to the Braves’ offense.
To compound matters, Murphy has been positioned after the elite hitters in Atlanta’s lineup. His regression has disrupted the offensive flow, especially considering his impressive .899 OPS this season. It’s encouraging to see him starting to find his form again, but for the Braves to reclaim their dominant status, he needs to fully recapture the exceptional performance he displayed before the All-Star break.
Although the Braves’ recent struggles can be attributed in part to Murphy’s slump, it’s important not to place all the blame on him. Baseball is a team sport, and multiple factors contribute to a team’s success or struggle. The Braves will need a collective effort from their roster to rediscover their winning ways.
As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to see how the Braves rebound from their August woes. They have the talent and depth to overcome this rough patch, and with the playoffs on the horizon, they must address their weaknesses and regain their early-season dominance.
