3 players most to blame for a premature losing streak

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ATLANTA, GA – JULY 19: Sean Murphy #12 of the Atlanta Braves at bat in the fifth inning during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Truist Park on July 19, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)

The Braves have surprisingly lost four straight and five of their last six, but which players are most responsible for the recent drop in Atlanta?

Based on the standings, the Atlanta Braves aren’t necessarily struggling. They still hold the best record in MLB at 61-33 and are miles ahead of their NL East rivals with a 9.5 game lead in the division.

Still, things haven’t been going well for the Braves lately. With a 5-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night, Atlanta has now lost four straight and five of its last six dating back to just before All-Star Weekend. Moreover, that puts them at a measly 4-6 in their last 10 games.

Again, that has yet to bite the Braves with their place in the standings and the playoff chase — but if it continues, it might not be the case anymore. So it’s time to start pointing fingers at the Braves who deserve a ton of blame for this recent losing slip.

They’re not the only players to blame – looking at you, Marcell Ozuna – but based on expectations and results, these three players deserve the lion’s share of blame for recent struggles.

Braves: 3 players most guilty of an untimely skid3. Sean Murphy, C.

When you look at the overall numbers for Sean Murphy this season, it’s obviously no wonder the Braves’ biggest offseason acquisition in another big-name trade with Oakland earned his first All-Star nod. -Star this season.

Murphy is hitting .289 on the season with sixth-best OPS in baseball (.950) as he smashed 17 homers and 18 doubles on the year with 57 RBIs to his name in just 71 games. Add to that the fact that he remains one of the best defensive receivers in the league, and he’s obviously worth everything to Atlanta this year.

But it is impossible to ignore the crisis he is going through at the moment.

Coming off the break, Murphy played in four of the Braves’ five games. In 19 plate appearances, he only reached base three times, recording one hit and two walks. Granted, that hit was a two-RBI double, but the fact that his slant line from the All-Star Game is going .059/.158/.118 while striking out five times in 19 board appearances tells you all you need to know. about how much he’s pressing right now.

With the pitch crashing to earth lately (which we’ll get to shortly), the offense was needed more than ever. Under the core of the order, however, Murphy just didn’t deliver in the Braves’ lineup. To kick off this sidewalk skid, the All_Star catcher needs to get his groove back at home plate.

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