While the Atlanta Braves are completely out of the playoff race this year, they still have a chance to play spoiler. So far in the second half, Atlanta has had mixed results when it comes to being a hurdle for postseason contenders with their series against the Brewers being a notable failure there. However, this week presents a unique opportunity as the Houston Astros are coming to town.
The Braves and Astros have a lot of history against each other. Atlanta often found themselves against Houston in the playoffs when the Astros were still in the National League and there is the obvious example of the Braves taking down the 2021 World Series title against them in convincing fashion.
This series is a little different than it usually is. Atlanta may not be playing for anything tangible, but they have a chance to making this struggling Astros team's lives extremely difficult if the Braves can pull of a series win.
Braves could ruin the Astros' playoff chances this weekend
While the Braves aren't exactly playing awesome, Houston is really on the struggle bus and now they are in a dogfight in the AL West with the surging Mariners and Rangers. Their offense is not firing on all cylinders despite the successful return of Yordan Alvarez and their pitching staff has had almost as bad of luck with injuries as Atlanta's group.
For a Braves team that needs all the good fortune they can get, there isn't going to be many better opportunities to ruin Houston's season than this one. Atlanta is sending Hurston Waldrep to the mound on Friday which is very promising and Bryce Elder has been pitching his brains out, although Joey Wentz on Sunday is a bit scary given how he is trending. Still, with all of Valdez's drama lately, the Braves could be hitting him at the perfect time as well.
If we are being honest with ourselves, Atlanta playing well enough to win this series against a very motivated, if struggling Astros team is going to be tough. However, in a season that has been chock full of disappointments, it sure would be nice to dish out some sadness for a change.