Here is one that I am sure that you have heard before: “The Atlanta Braves fail to score a run”, and this time it was at the most crucial part of the season, game one of the Wildcard Playoff Series. Now the Braves are up against elimination in game two of the best of three series, but they do have Max Fried on the mound, so hopefully only a run or two will do.
The Braves failing to score runs has been the story of the entire season, and while multiple injuries are part of the reason, they don’t tell the entire story. In the absence of power throughout the year such as Ronald Acuña Jr and Austin Riley, the Braves have not figured out how to manufacture runs. The Braves have had runners in scoring position (five in the loss to the Padres) multiple times during the season, but in most instances were not able to drive them home. It is win or go home for the Braves now, and while Max Fried being on the mound is a decided advantage for the team, the bats will still have to make a contribution. Andy Bunker and Randy McMichael discuss the Braves chance versus the San Diego Padres in game two.