Something seems amiss in the chaotic Braves clubhouse.
Coming off a three-game losing streak, Atlanta players are looking to get back on track and are holding a team meeting before Tuesday’s game against the Reds.
Head coach Brian Snitker, who has been in charge since 2016, did not attend the meeting. By David O’Brien of The Athletic.
“It is highly unusual to have a full team meeting at this time before a match,” O’Brien wrote to X.
The Braves are two-thirds of the way through the 2024 season and have a disappointing record.
Since going 19-9 through April, they are 35-36.
Atlanta, the winner of the last six NL East championships, is 8.5 games behind the Phillies in the division heading into Tuesday’s game.
The Braves remain in first place in the National League wild card standings at 54-45 but are well off pace to win 100 or more games each of the past two seasons.
The injury bug is not kind to them.
The Braves lost ace starting pitcher Spencer Strider and 2023 National League MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. in consecutive months in April and May.
On Sunday, Atlanta placed star pitcher Max Fried and second baseman Ozzie Albies on the disabled list, further adding to the team’s health concerns.
Several players in the Braves’ strong lineup have also had disappointing performances.
Matt Olson and Austin Riley, who hit 54 and 37 home runs, respectively, last season, have each hit just 13 extra-base hits so far.
Marcell Ozuna, who is having a career-best year with 28 home runs and a .980 OPS, is the only Braves regular with an OPS+ above 120.
On Thursday, the Braves travel to Queens for a four-game series against the Mets, who are just three games behind Atlanta in the wild-card race.
