Entering the 2024 MLB season, the Atlanta Braves were the favorites to win the World Series. After a heavy dose of injuries and underperformance from big-name players, they may have an uphill battle to see the calendar turn to October.

At the trade deadline, GM Alex Anthopoulos decided to make a big move by bringing Jorge Soler back to Atlanta. For about three games, it looked like the Braves were back on track. But Tuesday night, Braves fans were presented with an unfortunate and familiar scene in a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

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Two of the many injuries Atlanta has had to deal with this season have involved all-star starting pitchers Max Fried and Reynaldo Lopez. While Fried just returned from the IL, Lopez was recently placed on the IL, leaving a rotation spot that needs to be filled.

Bryce Elder, who seemed to have been stuck between the majors and minor leagues forever, took the field for Reynaldo Lopez. Elder had a phenomenal outing against the Brewers in his last game, but Tuesday night was a little different.

In front of his home crowd at Truist Park, Elder couldn’t get out of the 4th inning. He allowed 7 earned runs on 8 hits in just 3.2 innings. Jesse Chavez allowed 2 earned runs himself in relief and Aaron Bummer was tagged for an earned run, which tied the 10 earned runs the Braves allowed on Tuesday.

In addition to struggling on the field, the Braves have been (again) icy cold at the plate. Putting Jorge Soler at the top of the lineup card was supposed to spark the offense, but it hasn’t happened yet. In fact, the Braves haven’t even scored a run in their last 19 at-bats.

With the Phillies going through a tough stretch and the Braves on a relatively easy schedule, the last few weeks have been an ideal time for Atlanta to close the gap in the NL East.

While the Braves have narrowed that gap by a few games over the last few months, they are still 6.5 games back of the division lead entering Wednesday. If the season ends today, Atlanta now has the final Wild Card spot, but the New York Mets are right on their heels. For the Braves, it’s now or never.