The Atlanta Braves were supposed to contend for a World Series this season.
Instead, they're contending with the Miami Marlins in a battle for well-off-the-pace third place in the NL East.
Baseball, as much as any sport, is a game you simply can't quite predict. Often, expectations become reality. But sometimes, a season spins so far on its head it doesn't even make sense.
In Atlanta, much of the trouble can be aligned with Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II. It's not even to say that this struggle campaign is their fault, although they haven't helped. But they're the simple microcosm of what has happened to the Braves.
We'll start with Harris, the electrifying, powerful, speedy centerfielder.
Harris is 7 for his last 77 at the plate. Seriously.
He entered this season as a career .285 hitter. He's batting .205, with a slugging percentage more than 100 points below his career-low.
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Then there's Albies, who entered the season as a .270 hitter but is batting .221. His struggles really began a bit last year, and things have gotten even worse now.
Albies is 28. Harris is 24. These guys are supposed to be in their primes, or even still ascending.
Instead, they've brought into question whether they are even a key part of Atlanta's future.
The Braves aren't expected to do anything rash at the trade deadline. They may move Marcell Ozuna's expiring contract, but players with team control beyond this season are probably safe to come back and try again next year.
Because for Atlanta, and for Albies and Harris especially, it has to be better next year, doesn't it?
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