The Atlanta Braves catcher Evan Gattis has been ill with strep throat since Monday, and it appears the Braves have already decided he won’t be good to go for Sunday’s game against the Texas Rangers.
#Braves Gattis will miss tomorrow's game, too
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) September 13, 2014
This isn’t good news for the Braves, as Gattis has been good for Atlanta this year, his first full year as the Braves catcher, and the 27-year old has 22 home runs and has been worth 2.3 bWAR this year.
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Gattis had originally hoped he would be able to return this weekend and help the Braves push towards the Wild Card. Atltanta is nine games behind the NL East leaders, the Washington Nationals, but only 3.5 games back of the second Wild Card spot, held by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Unfortunately, the Braves have been stumbling lately, and are 3-7 in the last 10 games, but offensive production has really suffered.
#Braves are 3-8 with 27 runs scored in September, 1 or no runs in 6 of 11 games
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) September 13, 2014
Atlanta has also lost four consecutive series this month, and after today’s loss, must win tomorrow to avoid a sweep from the Rangers, one of the league’s worst teams this season. Gattis is expected to play as soon as the illness clears.