The Atlanta Braves were on life support. Their obituary was written.
Everyone just waited for the front office announcement that it was time to pull the plug on their 2021 season.
It made sense. Atlanta just lost outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., one of the greatest players in baseball, to a season-ending knee injury. Starter Ian Anderson, who was pitching the best on their staff, was placed on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. Starter Mike Soroka’s comeback ended when he tore his Achilles tendon walking into the clubhouse. Outfielder Marcell Ozuna is out indefinitely after being arrested in late May, and still faces family violence and assault charges.