It's the same problem, different game for the Atlanta Braves, as another winnable series flips out from under them

Each team has beaten up on the other in the first two games of the series, with the A’s taking Game One in a 10-1 final while Atlanta won yesterday with a 9-2 win. Now tonight’s game will determine who takes the series, and hopefully the A’s can win it in front of the home crowd.

The silence that filled Braves clubhouse after a 5-4, 11-inning setback against the Athletics on Thursday night created the same somber mood you'd see after a season-ending postseason loss.

Strider has allowed three or fewer earned runs in his past seven starts, posting a 3.16 ERA in that stretch after opening the season 0-5.

Along Battery Avenue, the still-carpet-smooth new street that runs along the outside of Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, the All-Star banners are flying. Images of Aaron Judge, Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes and other stars decorate the walls and light posts around the ballpark in advance of next week’s All-Star Game.

ESPN handed out midseason grades for all 30 MLB teams, and spoiler alert, the Braves did not score well. The club received an “F” for its first-half performance, making it one of three organizations (with the Rockies and Orioles) to earn a failing grade.

Acuña helped lead the Braves to a 9-2 win against the Athletics — just their third victory in 13 games — a day after an embarrassing 10-1 series-opening loss. The Braves hit a season-high five homers, with others from Drake Baldwin, Austin Riley and Marcell Ozuna, who hit his first in 22 games, since June 13.

The Athletics dominate the Braves 10-1 on Tuesday night, fueled by Lawrence Butler’s two home runs, including a leadoff inside-the-park homer.