The Atlanta Braves haven't lived up to expectations this season.
Atlanta entered the 2024 Major League Baseball season with extremely high expectations. The Braves were the best team in baseball in the 2023 regular season but were upset in the playoffs. Atlanta was hoping to bounce back this season, but injuries completely dismantled the campaign.
Because of this, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter mentioned the Braves among the top five losers this season.
"Working on a run of six straight (National League) East titles and fresh off back-to-back 100-win campaigns, it's not hard to see why the Braves were one of the favorites to win it all," Reuter said. "They had an all-time great offense in 2023 and returned all of the core pieces from that group, led by (National League Most Valuable Player) Ronald Acuña Jr. and prolific slugger Matt Olson. Adding Chris Sale and Reynaldo López also gave the starting rotation a more complete look.
"Losing Acuña and ace Spencer Strider to season-ending injuries was a major blow, while Olson, Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, and Michael Harris II have also failed to live up to expectations due to injuries and inconsistency. It looks like their battle for a playoff spot is going to come down to the season's final days, which is not the outcome anyone expected for this club."
Could this lost season lead to major changes in Atlanta? That isn't likely at this point. The Braves will have much of the same roster intact in 2025 and, if they can stay healthy, possibly contend.
More MLB: Braves star is having 'season of his life' despite little recognition
