Pitching is the main culprit for Atlanta's 9-15 record since the break, including a 13-5 rout Tuesday by the New York Mets.

No one had the Braves playing the role of spoiler at this point in August, but following the season from hell and a handful of crushing injuries on the pitching side, that’s where we are. On Tuesday night, the Braves will begin a three-game series in New York that is far more important for the Mets than Atlanta.