The Atlanta Braves Head Into Matchup Against Athletics After Four-Game Slide

The Atlanta Braves will look to snap a troubling losing streak as they begin a road series against the Oakland Athletics this week. Atlanta enters the matchup on the heels of four consecutive losses and has now dropped nine of their last eleven games, falling well off pace in the National League playoff race.

Once seen as postseason contenders, the Braves have slipped to 11 games below .500, with their most recent loss coming in a tightly contested 2–1 game against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. The defeat capped a three-game sweep at Camden Yards, where Atlanta’s offensive struggles continued.

 Recent Struggles

The Braves’ problems have mounted on both sides of the ball:

Offense Drought: Atlanta has scored one run or fewer in several recent games, and their performance with runners in scoring position remains poor.

• Pitching Inconsistency: While starters like Chris Sale and Reynaldo López have pitched well, the bullpen has faltered in close games.

• Defensive Mistakes: Untimely errors have cost the Braves key outs, further deepening their slide.

This is the Braves’ worst stretch since 2017, when they last lost five straight games in a similar midseason slump.

Series Preview: Braves vs. Athletics

The upcoming three-game series in Oakland may be just what the Braves need to reset. The Athletics, while improved from past seasons, remain a beatable team with a 41–49 record entering the series.

Projected Pitching Matchups:

• Game 1: Reynaldo López (ATL) vs. J.P. Sears (OAK)

• Game 2: Chris Sale (ATL) vs. Aaron Brooks (OAK)

• Game 3: TBD

Chris Sale, in particular, has been a standout for Atlanta this season with an 8–1 record and a 2.12 ERA, and he’ll be counted on to halt the Braves’ slide in Game 2.

 What Needs to Change

To get back on track, the Braves need:

1. Clutch hitting – Turning scoring opportunities into runs, especially late in games.

2. Bullpen reliability – Shoring up late-inning relief to protect narrow leads.

3. Team focus – Avoiding defensive lapses and mental errors that have plagued recent games.

Veteran leadership and a sense of urgency will be crucial as the Braves try to salvage the season heading into the All-Star break.

Looking Ahead

With the All-Star break just days away, this series could be pivotal for Atlanta. A strong showing against Oakland could stabilize the team before a much-needed reset. But continued struggles may force front office decisions before the trade deadline.

For Braves fans, all eyes are on Oakland—and on whether this team still has the fight to turn their season around.