Coming out on top in a postseason series against the Los Angeles Dodgers is not an easy task. In fact, in recent years, it has proven to be impossible, as the Dodgers have won back-to-back World Series titles. One team that some fans predicted could actually give the Dodgers a run for their money this year was the Atlanta Braves. While the team missed the postseason in an injury-riddled season last year, they had made the playoffs for seven straight years before that, which included a World Series win in 2021.
The team is loaded with superstar talent, both in their lineup and their rotation. None of that mattered, though, as the Braves were embarrassed in the NLDS against Los Angeles. The team won Game 2, but for the most part, Atlanta was dominated in the series that went four games. So, who was most to blame?
Drake Baldwin
The Braves' pitching staff did their part in the NLDS. The offense did not. Drake Baldwin doesn't have nearly the experience of many of his position player teammates, such as Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris, and Matt Olson. In fact, he won the Rookie of the Year award last year, making this his postseason debut. There is no time to find one's footing in the playoffs, though, and Baldwin struggled mightily.
The catcher batted just .071, as he had one hit in 14 at-bats. The Braves as a whole were 1-for-23 with runners in scoring position, and Baldwin played a big part in the team being unable to get runners across home plate. Baldwin is a lead-off hitter, so he didn't always have great hitters on base when he was due up, but he didn't manage at-bats and test pitchers like one-slot hitters are supposed to. Baldwin has tons of potential and a bright future ahead of himself, but the NLDS was a disappointing one for the catcher.
Ronald Acuna Jr.
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Ronald Acuna Jr. has an MVP to his name and is the creator of the 40-70 club. However, the player who perfectly combines power with speed has never quite lived up to his fullest potential. He wasn't on the postseason roster when the Braves won the World Series in 2021 because he tore his ACL. Injuries have limited him in each of the past three seasons since his 2023 MVP win, too.
Still, the talent is clear, and a postseason series against the defending champions was a perfect time for Acuna to re-announce his presence as one of the best players in MLB. Instead, he went just 2-for-15. Acuna's struggles at the plate resulted in him taking accountability for Atlanta's loss. That isn't enough, though. The Braves needed their best players to step up if they were to take down the giant that is Los Angeles. Instead, Acuna spent more time swinging and missing than playing at a high level. In fact, controversial podcasts comments were the standout moment for Acuna in the NLDS.