While the Atlanta Braves are the most extreme example, they aren't the only National League East team dealing with surprising regression. The Philadelphia Phillies have continued to fall further behind the New York Mets in a division that was expected to be Philly vs. Atlanta. Both teams have vastly underachieved, leaving the Mets in a controlling position that doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon.
Furthering this, the Phillies were forced to designate reliever Carlos Hernández for assignment. This was after the team believed it had found an answer to the early and middle innings earlier in the year. The veteran reliever had a breakout season with the Kansas City Royals in 2023 and seemed to have turned a corner. However, struggles in 2024 and to start the 2025 season left the Phillies no choice but to turn the page on a struggling bullpen. If there is one area of struggle both teams can relate it is a frustrating and uneven bullpen.
Braves Aren't the Only NL East Team to Suffer Regression
Both teams had a veteran reliever fail to show up, with the Phillies having their star late-inning arm suspended for breaking the league's banned substance policy. For Atlanta, it has been a consistent struggle for Raisel Iglesias, who was supposed to be the one reliable arm at the back of the team's bullpen.
Regardless, there is little comparison when it comes to the season results. The Phillies remain in a position to patch the bullpen at the trade deadline and challenge the Mets for the division or claim a wildcard spot. Atlanta seems to be out of position to simply finish the season with anything close to a winning record.
While it is still very early in a long season, there hasn't been anything to suggest the team is going to turn the corner. If anything, things have grown darker for a team that has been forced to pay the price of a cheap front office. No question, neither team is happy with its current standing and the lack of offseason investment in the respective bullpens.