Time for Braves to push the panic button?

After a nice start to the second half of the season beating the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 in extra innings in game one of a double header on Saturday the rest of the weekend was a series of unfortunate events for the Atlanta Braves. The Braves lost game two of the double header 9-5, and would go on to lose the series on Sunday after losing the series finale 6-2, but that’s not even the worst part.

In the ninth inning of Sunday’s game Ozzie Albies fractured his wrist trying to tag out Michael Siani who was attempting to steal second. Later in the day the Braves announced the fractured wrist and revealed Atlanta’s second baseman will miss eight weeks. Earlier in the day the Braves also announced that All-Star starting pitcher Max Fried being placed on the 15-day IL retroactive to July 18 due to forearm neuritis. With these latest injuries to the Braves, is it time to push the panic button on the Braves season? Robb Tribble, Mike Johnson, and Beau Morgan debated it earlier today on The Morning Shift.

This Monday edition of The Morning Shift started off with a passionate debate after Robb Tribble started off the show with a big declaration.

“RIP to the 2024 season it’s over, Braves are done. If they somehow limp into the playoffs it’ll be short lived.” Tribble said

Now, Robb was being a bit tongue and cheek with those comments, but those were basically his real thoughts and feelings, and while Mike Johnson doesn’t believe the Braves World Series hopes are completely out the window this season he is worried.

“I’m worried just for the simple fact that we don’t need anything else to harm this team going forward, right I mean like, I think if you say you’re not worried then you are the most optimistic, probably the most blinded baseball fan that I can think of because there’s not a lot honestly to be optimistic about at this point.” Johnson said

On the other hand Beau Morgan, thinks it’s okay to be concerned but doesn’t think anyone should believe the sky is falling for the Braves, and right before the segment ended Robb Tribble questioned whether or not the Braves would make the playoffs this year, and that’s what got the debate started.

“Again, before everyone hits the fire alarm button we are still 10 or 11 games over .500 in a good spot in the Wild Card, in fact the top team in the wild card, stop panicking about everything my god we have Chicken Littles in this city.” Beau said

Mike took exception to that and stood up for all the “Chicken Littles” in Atlanta

“At what point can you not be a little bit panicky about the Braves, is it when they lose out of the freakin 'playoffs again? I mean my god are we allowed to be nervous about the Braves at all?”

Beau responded by saying “Being nervous and saying we should sell, or that we’re not even going to make it to the playoffs are two different things.”

As of right now the Braves still have a solid cushion when it comes to being in the Wild Card all together as the New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Diego Padres are all tied for that final Wild Card spot in the National League and they are all four games behind the Braves.

There’s nothing wrong with being concerned and worried if you’re a Braves fan as this team has been decimated with major injuries all season long. However, the team is currently in a good spot.

However, if this Braves team goes on a skid between now and the July 30th trade deadline it may be panic time in Braves country because then it becomes a question of do you give up all your prospects to fill holes or do you just stand pat and let the season play out how it does?