The Atlanta Braves are grappling with a tumultuous season, facing setbacks that have left them well below .500 and struggling in the National League East. Most recently, they were handed a 9-6 defeat against the Kansas City Royals, exacerbated by the injury of key outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., who has been placed on the injured list due to an Achilles issue. Acuña had already missed a significant portion of the season, appearing in only 55 games and posting a .306 batting average with 14 home runs. His absence is expected to impact the Braves' performance as they sit in fourth place. Additionally, the Braves' Erick Fedde, newly acquired from the Cardinals, made his debut but struggled on the mound, dropping to a 3-11 record. The team's challenges are mounting as they prepare for the final game of the series against the Royals.