The Atlanta Braves season came to a quick end after barely making it into the postseason with a 3-0 win versus the Mets to end the regular season in game two of a doubleheader.
The Braves brief postseason stint can be attributed to the first game of that season-ending doubleheader — a game that Braves should’ve won. The phenomenal rookie Spencer Schwellenbach pitched seven scoreless innings against the Mets until he was pulled after allowing the lead-off man to get a double in the 8th inning. The bullpen is to blame for the 8-7 loss. Schwellenbach maintained the Braves 3-0 lead, built up by Ozzie Albies’ deep two-run shot in the 3rd inning and Ramon Laureano’s solo home run in the 6th. Once Scwellenbach was pulled, the Mets rallied for six runs in the 8th inning to take a 6-3 lead and seemingly take control of the game. However, the Braves offense answered quickly, going up 7-6 with Albies’ bases-loaded double plating three runs. With a chance for redemption and only needing three more outs, the Braves bullpen blew it again, giving up another two runs in the 9th inning, leading to the 8-7 loss.
Game one of the doubleheader was why the Braves couldn’t keep their bats heated in the postseason. They used all their energy to try and win it, and in game one, the bullpen came out and did not perform to expectations. The Braves used their best arms to keep the lead. But the bullpen, yet again, underperformed. Luckily, after a long day of baseball and with the Mets having nothing to play for in game two, the Braves took the nightcap 3-0 to clinch the final wildcard spot.
While it was a huge relief to finally be able to prepare for the postseason, the Braves didn’t have a day to recover. That was the most significant factor for the game one loss in the Wild Card series in San Diego. The Braves were shut out 4-0 by the Padres. Having to play two games in one day with the season on the line, then traveling across the country and to play a game less than 24 hours later took a toll on the team, as it would with anyone. In game two, the Braves almost pulled off a win but came up short, with the season ending in a 5-4 loss to the Padres. Many aspects of the Wild Card Series loss are excusable, but the Braves’ regular season woes late in the season are not.
The starting pitching for the Braves has been off the charts throughout the regular season, with Chris Sale, Max Fried, Reynaldo Lopez, Grant Holmes and Spencer Schwellenbach getting the job done. With the exception of closer Raisel Iglesias, the bullpen is another story. In game after game during the 2024 season, the bullpen allowed runs to be scored after starters did their job. The bullpen was a clear underlying issue for many losses this season. The Braves must start looking at other options for relief pitchers, because guys like Joe Jimenez can’t keep runners off the bases. While many pitchers in the bullpen had around a 3.50 ERA, hits and runs were consistently given up when the game was on the line.
But that isn’t the only thing that held back the Braves. A big issue was also the offense. They could not get their bats rolling. Marcell Ozuna has been the most clutch hitter all season for Atlanta. While injuries on the field set the team back, it did not excuse players like Matt Olson, Orlando Arcia and Austin Riley from underperforming before his late-season injury.
It is disappointing to see Matt Olson have a season like he did after coming off the best season of his career in 2023. Olson finished the 2024 season with a .247 average and 29 home runs, following a .283/54 performance in his previous season.
Shortstop Orlando Arcia made a name for himself in the 2023 season, not only because of his bat but because of his defense. Taking over the position that the beloved All-Star Dansby Swanson left is a tricky thing to do for a guy midway through his career. However, Arcia delivered in 2023, batting .264 and making the All-Star team, mostly for his stellar defense. Although his defense remained strong, Arcia’s offense was a liability for the Braves in 2024, as he batted just .218.After his rough season, the Braves have to look at other options at shortstop, like maybe going after free agent Bo Bichette.
The third base position has been locked down since Austin Riley and his big bat have taken over. Austin Riley is a valuable piece to the Braves defense. While Riley had an average of .256, his power was down more than expected. He had 37 homers in 2023, compared to this year’s 19 home runs. Riley was always seen as the big bat guy who could jack a baseball over 430 feet. Riley is also among the players that can’t deliver when needed most on offense this season. He consistently struck out and had fewer extra base hits this season than in past seasons. After signing a 10-year, $212 million contract before the season, Riley has locked down third base for the Braves for the foreseeable future, but to better contribute offensively he needs to be less focused on crushing a ball and more on putting the ball in play.
Most player comparisons have been on this season and the 2023 season, and we have every reason to do so. For fans and the clubhouse, we expect these players to strive for better. Maybe they won’t break as many records, but we need them to deliver hits, runs and wins when expected. The Braves were 52-41 against teams below .500. They even lost a series to the worst team in baseball history, the Chicago White Sox. A 55% rate of winning against losing teams is one of the reasons the Braves were fighting for a playoff spot until the last pitch of the season. The Braves dug their own grave. Their bats became silent, and their bullpen got the best of them.
On the positive side of everything, despite several injuries, a bad bullpen and underwhelming performances from their offensive stars, the Braves still managed to go to their seventh consecutive postseason appearance. While they couldn’t pull off a win in this year’s postseason, it says a lot about the spirit of this ball club. The Braves did not walk away from this season empty-handed. Chris Sale had the best season of his career, earning the pitching triple crown, leading the National League with 18 wins, 225 strikeouts and a 2.38 ERA. Sale is expected to win the Cy Young Award for the National League, meaning the Braves made a statement picking up this former Boston Red Sox starter who was seen as washed up. Reynaldo Lopez was another pitching success story. The Braves signed the injury-plagued pitcher to a modest 3-year, $30 million contract to shore up their starting rotation, and he answered by posting a 1.99 ERA over 135.2 innings.
The Braves’ 2024 regular season was sandwiched by two series that defined their season. Their Opening game in Philadelphia was postponed, just like their final two games against the Mets. Sean Murphy exited the game early after injuring an oblique with an awkward swing, representing all the injuries throughout the season. In that opening game, the Braves rallied back from a deficit with seven runs in the 8th inning, showing that late-inning rallies are possible for this team. And the teams’ bullpen woes could be seen early, as the Braves squandered a 3-2 lead with the bullpen giving up three runs in the 7th inning in the final game of that series.
Even in a down year, the Braves still made it to the postseason, showing this squad is capable of so much more. Management needs to adjust to the change in the division, with the Phillies and Mets getting better each season. The foundation is strong. They just need to learn how they can close the gap in 2025.
