The Atlanta Braves are in unfamiliar territory as the second half of August begins. On Aug. 16 last year, the Braves were ahead by 12 games in the National League East and had the best record in baseball by 4 1/2 games. 365 days later, Atlanta is seven games back of first place in the division and clings to a two-game lead for the final Wild Card berth in the NL.
Having spent virtually the entire season without ace Spencer Strider and the last 12 weeks without Ronald Acuna Jr., it's easy to see how the Braves regressed.