9 to 5.  What a way to make a living. The Nats BAPID’ed our guys to death. AJ Smith-Shawver surrendered five runs on six hits and three walks in four innings.  The bullpen gave up four runs of its own. The Braves squandered several prime scoring opportunities.  They made several miscues in the field.  One guy for the Nats hit a home run in his big league debut, and another pitched three perfect innings in his first game in the bigs.

There were a few good things.  HS Kim had three hits on the night (the last one at 109 off the bat) and made an excellent play in the field.  Brewer Hicklin got the start in left and reached base twice on a walk and a hit.  MHII and Ozzie both homered.  Imagine that—multiple home runs in a game.  I recommend more of that, please.  Anthony Mederos pitched a scoreless inning.  Blake Burkhalter made his own MLB debut, and pitched pretty well, although he gave up a run.

But overall, it was a forgettable game in DC last night.  In fact, that’s my advice to all here.  Forget about it.  (Except Burkhalter—you can remember this for the rest of your life.)

After finishing with a day game in DC today, the Braves head into the most crucial stretch of the season, in which they play the Phillies seven times and the Rays and Cubs three each.   What does the fairly dismal performance last night tell us about what’s likely to happen going forward? Absolutely nothing. Forget about it.

Here’s the good news:  It’s September, and the Braves are in a pennant race.  There aren’t many things in life better than that.  The Phillies won again last night, and the Braves’ division lead is down to three games.  Although I suppose I’d rather have a ten game lead at this point, there is something especially memorable about a tight race in September.  October 1995 and 2021 were wonderful, but many of my fondest Braves memories are of certain Septembers.

Yes, “Try to remember the kind of September…”  A few of you out there remember that Brothers Four song from the 1960’s.  It’s a song about an old man wistfully looking back on life.  Maybe too apt for me.  Folks my age are more likely to hear Earth, Wind, and Fire in your head.  Ba-de-yah, do you remember, ba-de-yah, dancin in September.

For the first 25 years of the Atlanta Braves’ existence, there were only three Septembers in which the Braves had a realistic shot at the pennant.  In 1969, they entered September in 4th place, but only three games behind.  They went 20-6 the rest of the way and won the division by 3 games.  In 1982, they entered September in first place, but only a half game ahead.  They only went 15-15 for the month, but they finished in first by one game.  It was a roller coaster month to match a roller coaster season.  They lost 7 of 9 mid-month, but finished September by winning 7 of 9.  1983 did not go so well.  The Braves entered September a game and a half out, but went 12-16 the rest of the way.

Of course everything turned around in 1991.  Both 1991 and 1993 were very memorable Septembers.  In 91 they went 22-10 after 9/1 and won the division by one game.  In 93 they were four back on 9/1, but went 22-8 to win by a game.

There have been many pennants since then and a few more memorable Septembers, although the 90’s Braves were so good that it was usually over by the end of August.  More recently, September 2022 was especially satisfying, going 20-10 for the month and overtaking the Mets.

My point is, having your team in a pennant race in September is a good thing, and worth savoring.  I’m not making any predictions about what is likely to happen this September.  But I do know these next two weeks will be very meaningful and I’m looking forward to watching as much of the games as I can.

Starting today at 1:05, as Grant Holmes takes the hill.