Since winning the World Series following the 2021 season, the Atlanta Braves have been knocked out of the playoffs twice by their hated division rival, the Philadelphia Phillies. While it is easy to entertain what could have been with different matchups, long layoff, or health, the Braves simply have to get better.
Come postseason time, the Phillies have a different energy that Atlanta simply hasn't matched. Whether it is Bryce Harper staring down Orlando Arcia or the dugout erupting over seemingly every play, it is a team that had more fire and executed far better in each of the last two seasons.
Something clearly has to change for the Braves ... not to win the division or have a big regular season, but to kill these demons come postseason time. Atlanta needs a deeper lineup, pitching rotation, and time for the bullpen to get healthier.
There is no way around that Philly is clearly what is standing between Atlanta and another title. No other team in the postseason matched up well against the Braves or strikes the fear Philly does in Atlanta fans. Simply put, this offseason has to be about putting together a roster that can do something that Atlanta hasn't been able to do each of the last two seasons starting with stealing from Philly directly.