Cobb Reporter

ATLANTA -- The Braves’ lineup is expected to improve once Michael Harris II returns from the injured list within the next few weeks. Additionally, there is a possibility that president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos will acquire a quality hitter before the July 30 Trade Deadline. However, it has become evident that this Atlanta offense will not replicate last year's performance.

Spencer Schwellenbach allowed two two-run homers in the fifth inning of a 4-2 loss to the Pirates on Sunday afternoon at Truist Park. This would have been less problematic last year, but this season’s injury-depleted lineup has struggled to overcome even minor deficits.

“You know what the guys are capable of,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “They just haven’t put it together for an extended period, where it flows. That’s the hard part.”

The loss of Ronald Acuña Jr. to a season-ending knee injury on May 26 significantly impacted the team’s ability to maintain their previous slugging percentages and home run totals. The Braves have scored two or fewer runs 24 times this year, including four times in their past five games, matching their total from last year.

“Every year is different,” Braves third baseman Austin Riley said. “You go through your challenges. I feel like we still haven’t fully clicked offensively up and down the lineup.”

With Jarred Kelenic, Ozzie Albies, Marcell Ozuna, Matt Olson, and Riley filling the top spots in the lineup, there are plenty of capable run-producers. However, Harris’ absence and struggles by Adam Duvall, Sean Murphy, and Orlando Arcia have created issues at the bottom of the order.

Along with not generating production at the bottom of their order, the Braves are not creating more opportunities for their top hitters.

“You don’t want those guys at the top feeling like they have to carry the whole load,” Snitker said. “I think when we get Michael back, it will do a lot for us.”

Harris strained his left hamstring on June 14 and was recently cleared to swing off a tee and play catch but has yet to resume running exercises. He may be available soon after the All-Star break.

Kelenic has filled Harris’ roles as leadoff hitter and center fielder capably since June 15 with a .328 average and .980 OPS during this period. Murphy has also shown improvement with a .960 OPS during this stretch; however, no other regular player has maintained an OPS above .700 over these two weeks.

“It’s been tough to kind of get a big hit,” Snitker said. “I was feeling pretty good about today.”

The Braves appeared to turn a corner by scoring six or more runs six times while going 7-1 from June 13-21 but have regressed over the past week possibly due to fatigue from recent schedule changes including doubleheaders and makeup games.

The team managed only one run in Thursday's game against Chicago despite Chris Sale's strong pitching performance and had limited offensive success against Pittsburgh over subsequent games.

Duvall ended Saturday’s win with a drive that bounced against right-center-field wall providing some morale boost though he continues struggling overall with significant splits between his performance against left-handed versus right-handed pitchers.

As Anthopoulos approaches Trade Deadline decisions finding an outfielder should be prioritized given Duvall's inconsistency as an everyday player while Arcia’s defensive skills partially offset his offensive limitations.

Adding another piece could provide necessary depth for supporting Atlanta's strong pitching staff which contributed significantly to winning this weekend series against Pittsburgh.

“We took two out of three,” Riley noted positively reflecting on recent results adding “We get an off-day; we’ll refresh regroup ready Tuesday.”