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Braves Falter, NL East Lead Shrinks to Two

7/17/2026

25 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Atlanta Braves faltered, posting a 10-19 stretch and shrinking their NL East lead from 9½ to two games.
Since June 1 the Braves' ERA rose to 4.37 and runs per game fell from 5.53 to 4.11, signaling decline.
The NL wild-card race includes four teams with winning records, with the Miami Marlins third at 52-45.
Cardinals GM Chaim Bloom is expected to retain the roster through the deadline, prioritizing long-term improvement.

History

Historical Context

On August 12 1994 acting commissioner Bud Selig led MLB owners into a strike that cancelled the season’s remainder on September 14, eliminating 948 games and the first World Series since 1904. The disruption ended the Montreal Expos’ league-best 74-40 run and sparked a franchise decline. Today the Braves’ wild-card chase echoes that volatility, shaping current NL strategies.

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Story summary

Atlanta Braves faltered, posting a 10-19 stretch and shrinking their NL East lead from 9½ to two games.
Since June 1 the Braves' ERA rose to 4.37 and runs per game fell from 5.53 to 4.11, signaling decline.
The NL wild-card race includes four teams with winning records, with the Miami Marlins third at 52-45.
Cardinals GM Chaim Bloom is expected to retain the roster through the deadline, prioritizing long-term improvement.

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