A spark.
The Braves have been looking for one, this team lacking the energy, enthusiasm and swagger that defined them in 2019 and 2020. They’re still mixing it up when the opportunity presents itself, but it’s had the feel of going through the motions. At 20-24, Atlanta has its fewest wins at this stage of the season since 2017, when it went on to drop 90 games.
Sage wasn’t the answer. Dansby Swanson’s step into the superstitious did result in three straight wins vs. the Cubs in late April, but it was an afterthought once the Blue Jays piled up 26 runs in three games.