The Atlanta Braves dropped a 4-2 decision to the Minnesota Twins on Monday, their offense unable to erase a deficit that was established in the very first inning. The pitching staff settled in after the first and gave the team a chance to come back. The bats did not respond.
According to Yahoo Sports, the Braves offense now ranks 27th in baseball since August 7, a three-week stretch that has included games against some of the tougher teams in the league. The team's upcoming schedule does not get easier. Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers are ahead, two opponents that will demand more production than Atlanta has managed lately.
Martin Perez had one of his worst innings of the year but was able to right the ship after that early trouble. His ability to recover and keep the game within reach was one of the few positives from Monday's loss.
The Braves also face a logistical challenge this week. The team will play each day but in four different cities, a schedule that puts added strain on the pitching staff in particular. Managing arms across that many travel days requires careful planning and will be something to watch as the week develops.
Elsewhere around the league, the New York Yankees placed left-hander Max Fried on the injured list with an elbow bruise. Fried had been one of the Yankees' most reliable starters, and his absence will be felt in their rotation. The timeline for his return has not been specified.
Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs continued to produce at an MVP-level pace, according to the report. His performance has been one of the more notable individual stories in the National League this month.
There was also unexpected news out of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Second baseman Ketel Marte did not show up for the team's game in Boston, and the circumstances around his absence were not immediately clear. The situation is expected to develop into a larger story as more details emerge.
The Braves will need to find answers offensively before they face the Dodgers, one of the best teams in the National League. How the club responds over the next several days, while also managing a demanding travel schedule, will go a long way in determining whether they can remain competitive heading into September.
