Toronto at Atlanta, September 6-8

Friday, September 06 2024 @ 03:01 PM EDT

Contributed by: Magpie

I said watchin' them planes
I wish I was on one
I'm sittin' here thinking 'bout my crazy dream


Playing out the string, continued.

You probably think that the reason the Braves are locked in a desperate struggle with the Mets for the final playoff spot is because their offense - so mighty and awesome in 2023 - has collapsed. You mention the injuries to Acuna and Albies, the struggles of Harris and Arcia. You're not wrong. But there may be more to it.

They may be cursed.

You will recall that after their unexpected championship (they went 88-73!) in 2021, the Braves chose not to re-sign their long time first baseman, the immensely popular and talented Freddie Freeman. Who very much wanted to come back to Atlanta. But he also wanted to get paid.

Instead the Braves said "see ya," pivoted to Matt Olson, and paid him. Olson is five years younger, and not quite as expensive. He's not quite as good, either, although he's put together some very big years, with Oakland in 2021 and Atlanta in 2023.

But if you have a great player who likes your organization and wants to stay - you make it happen. The Braves are saving five million a year with a younger, albeit slightly lesser, player. But they've opened the window and let the Bad Karma inside. The Blue Jays did the same thing to Tom Henke, and I still haven't forgiven them.

Matchups

Fri 6 Sep - Gausman (12-10, 4.27) vs Fried (8-8, 3.52)
Sat 7 Sep - Berrios (14-9, 3.59) vs Schwellenbach (5-6, 3.69)
Sun 8 Sep - Rodriguez (1-6, 4.61) vs Sale (16-3, 2.46)

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