Will the Athletics Push the Braves Deeper into a Crushing Losing Spiral?

The Braves are 39-51 in today’s game, and it has been well documented that the team had a really rough start to the beginning of the season. They did get out of that stretch and at one point were even a winning team. They looked like they were going to come back and figure out the path to the playoffs. At this point they look like they are closer to having to sell some players away at the deadline than they are doing anything else. It seems almost impossible, given all of the success of the team over the past few years, and all the talent they have, but the Braves have had three losing streaks of at least five games this season. Currently, they have lost five in a row and 10 of their past 12 games. Looking to stop the skid is Bryce Elder, who is 2-6 with a 5.92 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Elder hasn’t been very good on the road, sporting a 5.09 ERA, but that is still better than his home performances. He has allowed at least four earned runs in each of his past four starts, and has just three quality starts in nine outings this season. Athletics hitters have never seen Elder before, with the exception of Shea Langeliers, who is 1 for 3 against him. 

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