Braves' dreadful record in close games has them on the cusp of historic lows

BySteven Teal|
Milwaukee Brewers v Atlanta Braves
Milwaukee Brewers v Atlanta Braves | Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/GettyImages

2025 hasn't been what anyone expected for the Atlanta Braves. They were expected to be favorites to reach the World Series. That dream is out the window, as are the playoffs altogether. The offense has been dreadful most of the year, and then the starting rotation began to fall apart thanks to injuries. Add that along with underperformance from a revolving bullpen, and you have a recipe for disaster.

However, there is one area the Braves have been shockingly consistent in, and it's one-run losses. Take Wednesday night's loss to the Brewers as a perfect example. Michael Harris II hit a solo homer in the ninth to bring them within a run of tying the game. Atlanta then goes on to lose by one run.

The Braves are now 14-28 in one-run games this season. It seems they've really committed to finding ways to earn the worst one-run loss record in MLB history. This surpasses the number of one-run losses Atlanta had in 2024 with an 18-25 record.

The Braves are on pace to have one of the worst records in one-run games we've seen

Atlanta has seen a decline in performance in one-run games, as evidenced by their 23-18 record in such situations during the impressive 2023 season. It's easy to see why that's changed. The offense as a whole is less clutch.

They do have more wins in one-run games than the White Sox, who have won just nine one-run games. However, Atlanta has surpassed Chicago in losses in these games by four.

The Braves aren't in good company there and are at risk of reaching one of the worst records in one-run games since the 2022 Marlins, who went an abysmal 24-40. Atlanta is only 12 losses away from tying that mark in losses. Given the devastation this year has brought, that feels almost inevitable unless they just start losing even worse than they have been.

It won't be long until they match the 2021 Diamondbacks, who lost 31 times in one-run games that year. Fans have had an absolutely miserable experience this season, and it only feels like it will get worse.

Hopefully, this doesn't happen and the team finds a way to win some close games for a change. We deserve something to celebrate at this point.

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