This story was excerpted from Mark Bowman’s Braves Beat publication. To learn the total publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it usually in your inbox.
ATLANTA — The 2025 Speedway Basic champions are on a roll, having gained 9 of their previous 11 video games. Sadly, the Braves are nonetheless tied to the truth that they entered this stretch 19 video games below .500 (47-66).
As an alternative of taking a logical and sensical strategy by saying there may be nonetheless no purpose to suppose the Braves will attain the postseason, I’ll simply take a look at how inconceivable it could be when you even checked out it from a really optimistic standpoint.
Let’s say the Mets proceed to break down and the Reds have a shedding document the remainder of the best way. Nonetheless, even when we permit ourselves to imagine 82 wins is likely to be sufficient to safe the ultimate NL Wild Card spot, the Braves would wish to win 26 of their final 38 video games.
And the Mets would wish to win simply 17 of their final 38 video games to get to 83 wins. OK, seeing them final week, that really is feasible. However I don’t see that taking place with the Reds additionally collapsing down the stretch. Cincinnati must win simply 17 of its final 37 to get to 82 wins.
Anyone else suppose it’s ridiculous I spent a couple of paragraphs mentioning how inconceivable it could be for the Braves to get a playoff spot even when the bar was at 82 wins?
Yeah, Chris Sale could possibly be again quickly. However as Braves supervisor Brian Snitker stated final week, there’s no purpose to be optimistic about Spencer Schwellenbach or Reynaldo López pitching once more this yr. And, he additionally confirmed Joe Jiménez gained’t pitch this season.
So, as a substitute of hoping for a miracle, let’s deal with what ought to preserve us excited over the season’s closing weeks.
1. The longer term has been brightened throughout what has arguably been probably the most disappointing season in Atlanta historical past. What would rival this one? 2014? Possibly. 2011? It was principally nice till September arrived. However from begin to end, I believe this present season takes the cake.
2. Bear in mind a pair weeks in the past, once I wrote that Michael Harris II had executed sufficient for the reason that break to persuade me to as soon as once more predict a 30-30 season for 2026? Effectively, if he retains this up, perhaps I’ll be touting him as my darkhorse MVP candidate. He ranked final amongst MLB gamers in OPS earlier than the break and is now ranked fifth amongst them on this class for the reason that break.
Oh yeah, he additionally ranks third amongst MLB gamers in fWAR for the reason that break. However most significantly, he seems to be comfy and consequently harmful along with his altered stance. As unhealthy as the primary few months had been, he’s possible going to finish the season with 20-plus homers, 20-plus steals and fairly probably an .800 OPS.
Harris’ OPS has gone from .550 to .688 over 29 video games for the reason that break. Is it an excessive amount of to suppose he may add one other 112 factors over the ultimate 38 video games?
3. Sale threw 56 pitches over 4 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday. Snitker stated the 2024 NL Cy Younger Award winner can be activated after he will get his pitch rely up above 75. So, it seems to be like Sale will make yet one more rehab begin earlier than becoming a member of a rotation that features Spencer Strider, Joey Wentz, Erick Fedde and Bryce Elder.
Wentz’s story is inspirational. I at all times thought he was the very best of the pitchers within the Braves’ 2016 Draft class, which additionally included Ian Anderson, Bryse Wilson, Kyle Muller and World Collection starter Tucker Davidson, amongst others. Now, almost 10 years and three organizations later, he’s posted a 2.60 ERA over seven appearances (six begins) since becoming a member of Atlanta. Don’t attempt to predict baseball. Simply benefit from the fantastic and unpredictable tales it creates.
4. Strider was very annoyed after tying profession highs in runs allowed (eight) and residential runs allowed (three) on Tuesday in New York. For the second time in his previous three begins, he recorded low whiff totals. He stated opponents have had very comfy at-bats currently.
Is he tipping his slider? Or is he nonetheless simply readjusting after his scheduled Aug. 2 begin in Bristol was erased by the rain that fell after he was executed warming up? We’re creatures of behavior, so simply barely altering the schedule can have a lingering impact.
