Kevin Seitzer’s words have never rung truer than right now for the Braves

When a club as talented as the Braves struggles this badly, everyone wants a reason because it’s easier to comprehend than what is usually a complex combination of contributing factors.

It isn’t just the offense, even if it’s the biggest weakness right now. It isn’t just the bullpen, which has been untimely in recent weeks. It isn’t just Brian Snitker, who seems to be gazing into the sunset each night rather than on the diamond. It isn’t just Alex Anthopoulos, who left too many holes unfilled this offseason.

It’s a combination of all of those things. Hell, it could even be a leadership issue, like so many Braves fans believe it to be in the wake of Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson’s departure. All of those things can be pointed at Atlanta’s middling season so far, but what certainly cannot is the lack of care in the clubhouse.

It is asinine to suggest the Braves just don’t care. In fact, I think the team’s struggles, particularly offensively, are because they care too much. Yes, because they care too much. It’s the same thing that plagued the Braves’ lineup last year.

“It was the hardest season of my life, because guys were trying so hard and couldn’t get going, and I couldn’t get them to (not press),” former Braves hitting coach Kevin Seitzer said after he was fired last offseason. “If they can find somebody to get these guys to not try so hard, that needs to be the guy they hire. You can talk about mechanics until the cows come home, but this (struggles this season) was all between the ears.”

Tim Hyers was brought in to replace Seitzer, but the Braves’ bats are still very clearly struggling between the ears. They’re pressing. They want to turn things around so badly that they’re overcompensating. This team, the lineup in particular, is too talented to be this average.

The most glaring statistic that suggests it’s between the years is the team’s average with runners in scoring position and batting average with RISP and two outs. Atlanta ranks 26th and 30th, respectively, in those two areas since April 29, 2024. That average is dead last in baseball with RISP and two outs since last April.

That tense feeling is infectious, and the Braves’ pitching staff isn’t immune. A culture that once was lauded for its laid-back and supportive approach may have changed to a high-stress environment where everyone is trying to do more than is required of them.

Instead of it resulting in a positive result, it’s had the exact opposite effect. Call it whatever you want, and it sounds silly, but I really do think the Braves are trying too hard.