The All-Star break is supposed to be a time for players to rest up so they can come back recharged for the second-half stretch run. For the Braves, it could function as a necessary respite away from the field—or may result in Atlanta’s players stewing themselves into sorrow over the rotten end to the team’s first half.
Surely the Braves will appreciate the break before the dog days of summer. But given the way the offense responded Sunday in its first game without Ronald Acuña Jr. at the top of the lineup—with a record nine straight strikeouts to open their loss against the Marlins—it’s fair to wonder about both this team’s ceiling and the state of the clubhouse psyche after Atlanta’s trying first half.