Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Last month, Instagram introduced new features aimed at protecting teenage users. The “teen accounts,” which will automatically enable upon sign-up and to existing profiles, will be private, enforce messaging and content restrictions and filter out offensive words and phrases in comments and message requests. To change these settings, parental supervision must be enabled and approved.

Child safety has been debated since the rise of the internet and discussions have only increased as social media grows in popularity. However, increased restrictions do not ensure kids are kept safe in digital spaces.

Companies and governing bodies alike struggle to find a balance between freedom and safety. Legislations protecting children exist, but they are easy to bypass. It is far too simple for children to pretend to meet the age requirements to access a website or use the internet without their parents knowing.

Stricter limitations come at the risk of being unconstitutional. Violating the First Amendment is an argument often cited in courtrooms, making it difficult for the government to further any legislation.

Concerns regarding teenagers on social media platforms are understandable. Young users’ curiosity and unpolished literacy may hinder them from thinking critically about what they see. Navigating inappropriate content, interactions with others and internalizing common messages surrounding body image threaten their ability to use social media healthily and may negatively impact their mental health.  

However, writing off social media as entirely evil is a misguided and misinformed decision. Excessive online usage can worsen teens’ mental health, but it is not the cause of it. Offline factors such as home life, exposure to harm and identity exploration are more likely to lead teenagers to struggle.

Assuming all content is inappropriate is wrong as well. Social media allows people to learn about current events and discover a wealth of new information. For teenagers whose worlds are limited to their sometimes restricted environment, this can be eye-opening.

Community building and social interactions – the core of these apps – benefit young people. Marginalized kids, especially those who cannot safely express themselves, have the opportunity to form support systems and explore their identity. These interactions affirm that teenagers are not alone and that there is more beyond the close-mindedness of their offline reality.

Instagram’s proposed solution assumes all parents are fit to govern their children’s accounts, but this is untrue. Social media usage is extremely nuanced and older generations often do not understand that. The generally negative attitude towards children online overshadows its usefulness.

Granting parents excessive access to teen accounts further harms those in unsafe households. Allowing parents to see viewed topics puts teens at risk of having interests or aspects of their identity forcefully outed. The escape and community that was once found on the site will be taken away.

Implementing strict “sensitive content” restrictions also calls for concerns. This vague umbrella term can potentially block content related to bodily autonomy and functions, such as menstruation education, as well as LGBT+ posts that are notoriously flagged as inappropriate.

Social media companies should strive to protect young users, but Instagram’s rollout is deeply flawed. It does little to improve the larger issue of teenagers knowing how to protect themselves in online spaces. 

Social media is not going away, and it is unproductive to hide teenagers from it. A more efficient approach would be to increase online literacy. Teaching teenagers how to filter out unwanted content, identify misinformation and protect their privacy will yield long-term, positive results.

Anaya Baxter is an integrated communications junior who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

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“New Instagram features will not keep children safe online” was originally posted on The Cougar

The ODU music department is holding many concerts during the fall semester.

The ODU Brass Choir will perform at Chandler Recital Hall in the Diehn Fine & Performing Arts Center on Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. 

The Old Dominion University Jazz Combo directed by Professor John Toomey will perform at Chandler Recital Hall on Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. The jazz combo will play several pieces spanning jazz history, and will feature several instrumentalists as well as vocalist Kristiana Jones.

The 21 students that make up the ODU Jazz Orchestra will also perform, directed by Dr. Doug Owens and will feature guest director Baxley Roberts, a Master of Music Education student. They will present “The Music of Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays.” 

The Madrigal Singers, Collegium Musicum & Sacbut Consort Fall Concert will be held on Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Chandler Recital Hall. They will play and perform a number of songs and dances on replicas of historical instruments. 

The ODU Wind Ensemble will perform on Nov. 7 at the University Theatre. 

The ODU Percussion Ensemble’s fall recital will be held on Nov. 18 at Chandler Recital Hall. 

The Brass Choir will give another performance at Chandler Recital Hall on Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. 

All events are free to the public except for the ODU Wind Ensemble’s concert. Ticket sales are available online only. Click here for more information.

In a highly anticipated weekend of ACC volleyball, the Jackets entered on an eight-match winning streak only to suffer consecutive defeats against No. 23 SMU on Friday and the nation’s top-ranked team, No. 1 Pitt, on Sunday. Both matches were played at the O’Keefe Gymnasium in front of a sold-out home crowd, which continued a sold-out streak that now stands at 35 matches. However, despite the overwhelming support from the stands, the Jackets fell in straight sets to both opponents and ended  a 13-set home win streak dating back to the previous season. 

Friday night saw Tech start strong before stumbling  in a closely contested first set against SMU. Both teams came out swinging, with neither side able to pull ahead significantly. SMU took control late in the set due to their sharp offensive play. They  grabbed a 21-18 lead and never looked back. Tech’s offense, led by sophomore right-side hitter Larissa Mendes, was also impressive. The Jackets posted a percentage of .364 with four players recording multiple kills. However, SMU’s attack was even better, hitting at an impressive .417. Ultimately, it allowed the Mustangs to take the first set 25-22.

The Mustangs carried their momentum into a 10-4 lead in the second set that was fueled by the power of three crucial blocks. However, the Jackets were not ready to back down. They mounted a strong response with a 6-0 run, led by junior middle blocker Liv Mogridge, who contributed two kills and two blocks during this surge. With their aggressive play, Tech narrowed the gap to just one point at 21-20. Despite this rally, SMU shut down the Jackets’ momentum with a decisive 4-0 run, winning the set 25-20.

Entering the third set, the Jackets showed renewed determination and energy, quickly turning an early 2-5 deficit into an 8-6 lead. SMU was quick to respond, regaining control and pulling ahead 17-13. Tech rallied again, refusing to give up as they fought back to make it a close contest at 21-19. However, SMU’s powerful offense proved to be the deciding factor. They sealed the third set at 25-21, sealing a 3-0 match victory and handing Tech its first loss of the conference season. 

Despite the loss, there were standout performances on the Tech side. Mendes led the Jackets with 11 kills, hitting an impressive .450 for the match and tying her career-high with two aces. Senior outside hitter Bianca Bertolino, who has been a consistent force for the Jackets, contributed 10 kills, extending her streak of matches with double-digit kills to eight. She also added three digs, surpassing 1,100 career digs and moving into seventh place on Tech’s all-time list. Additionally, senior setter Ashlyn Goolsby set a new career high with seven assists, stepping up in critical moments despite coming off the bench.

After the Friday night defeat, the Jackets took on No. 1-ranked Pitt on Sunday. It was the Jackets’ toughest matchup of the season. The Panthers proved why they are considered the top team in the nation, overpowering Tech in every phase of the game. From the first serve, Pitt asserted their dominance, racing out to a commanding 17-3 lead in the first set. Tech struggled to generate any rhythm as the Panthers maintained firm control, closing the set with a 25-11 victory. Mendes tried to keep the Jackets afloat with three kills, but Pitt’s relentless attack proved too much for Tech’s defense.

The second set saw a more spirited effort from Tech, who jumped out to an early 7-4 lead behind a pair of kills from senior outside hitter Tamara Otene and a key block by Mogridge. However, Pitt quickly recovered, tying the set at 8-8 before surging ahead, 16-11. The Jackets couldn’t muster another comeback, and Pitt closed out the set with a definitive final score of 25-17. The third set was Pitt’s most dominant of the match, as Tech found themselves on the back foot throughout. Pitt took control early, winning 21 of the last 25 points to win the set 25-8 and the match 3-0.

Though the team fell short against Pitt, Mendes once again led Tech with eight kills, bringing her season total to 107, making her the third Jacket to surpass 100 kills this season. Mogridge, who had been a key player throughout the weekend, finished with six kills on .438 hitting. Junior middle blocker Anna Boezi also made her mark, setting a season-high with two solid blocks in her limited time on the court.

The Jackets faced a tough weekend, running into two well-rounded, top-25 teams, and struggled to keep pace. While individual performances from Mendes, Bertolino, and Mogridge continued to shine, the team will need to regroup quickly as they look to bounce back from the 0-2 start to ACC play. Tech’s next match will be a critical opportunity for the team to recover, as they aim to return to winning ways and solidify their standing in the competitive ACC.

Looking ahead, Tech will face a pair of road matches, starting with Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, on Friday, Oct. 4, at 6:30 PM. The Jackets will then take on the 2021 ACC champions, No. 5 Louisville, on Sunday, Oct. 6. After these road contests, the Jackets will return home to O’Keefe Gymnasium to take on Virginia Tech on Friday, Oct. 11, before wrapping up the weekend with a match against UVA on Sunday, Oct. 13.

The post Tech Volleyball Stumbles Against SMU and Pitt appeared first on Technique.

Colorado State football is getting a chance to set the record straight.

CSU kicks off conference play in week seven at Canvas Stadium against San Jose State, a team known for its passing attack. The Rams are coming off a season-best performance against Oregon State in which they fell 39-31 in double overtime. With the return of key players and a fresh start in Mountain West competition, CSU looks to transition into their peak midseason form.

Maintaining healthy players is a step in that process. Wide receiver Tory Horton and defensive lineman Nuer Gatkuoth both returned from multiple-game absences last week and made immediate impacts. Horton finished with 158 receiving yards, while Gatkuoth had a forced fumble and two tackles off of a limited 25 snaps.

“Tory was fantastic,” coach Jay Norvell said. “Horton looked like his old self out there. Our offensive line is probably playing as well as any offensive line I’ve ever had. … The nucleus of our team is starting to come together, and it’s coming together at an important time.”

“A lion, when he’s not hunting, he’s resting and he’s recovering. But when he hunts, it’s all gas and no brakes. That’s the way we want to be.” -Jay Norvell, CSU football coach

CSU’s offensive line was on display in week six. The Rams have been running effectively in the past few weeks, but pass protection will be key in their next matchup.

SJSU totaled 327 passing yards last week in their victory against Nevada, and they currently rank No. 8 in the NCAA passing offense. The Rams’ defensive backs will have to focus more on the opposing wide receivers compared to last game, in which they were required to step up and hit.

After leading CSU in tackles against OSU, Dom Jones knows there’s still a lot of football left to play.

“For us, it’s just all about opportunity and perspective,” Jones said. “We have everything — all our goals are still out there in front of us, and it’s ours to take. That’s what we plan to do this week.”

The Rams started bringing it together in week six and hinted at a ceiling higher than they’ve performed so far. Communication woes and offensive penalties stifled scoring drives at times, but CSU turned out a decent showing otherwise.

Offensive lineman Tanner Morley played his part in setting up another successful rushing attack for the Rams.

“(The) main word that I’ve been using to describe us, to describe our team recently, has been ‘jelling,’” Morley said. “We’ve been jelling together up front, offensively and defensively, and especially with that quarterback-wide receiver connection.”

CSU put up their most productive passing performance last week, as quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi threw for 263 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. The offensive line has remained one of the most consistent aspects of the Rams’ play this season.

So far, SJSU has averaged 409.6 yards and 35.4 points per game. Stopping the Spartans altogether seems unlikely, so offensive production will be a primary focus going into the matchup.

SJSU isn’t an unfamiliar foe, though, and CSU will look to recover from the loss they sustained against the Spartans the last time they played.

“There’s a sign of respect that you have for people that you play against,” Norvell said. “That familiarity is important, and it helps (in) preparing for them. I think we know the kind of team that we’re going to play and what we need to do to beat them.”

The Rams need to fix their own mistakes, but the Spartans have troubles of their own. SJSU finished their last match with seven penalties, totaling 75 yards.

The team that makes the least number of errors will have an advantage.

“We want to be like lions,” Norvell said. “A lion, when he’s not hunting, he’s resting and he’s recovering. But when he hunts, it’s all gas and no brakes. That’s the way we want to be. Every day we practice, we want to hunt. Every day we play, we want to play balls out.”

Reach Michael Hovey at sports@collegian.com or on Twitter @michaelfhovey.

Interested in more sports content? Sign up for Ram Report here for weekly CSU sports updates!

Police drew guns and arrested people outside Identity Dinkytown apartments on 15th Avenue SE and SE 4th Street Thursday afternoon. 

According to witnesses, around three University of Minnesota and Minnesota Police Department vehicles were on the scene. Officers drew guns before arresting the individuals.

This is a developing story.

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Jewish organizations, students, allies remember Hamas attacks at vigil

Participants sang to live music, watched Oct. 7 survivor testimony and listened to student speakers.

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By ZACHARY WHALEN

October 8, 2024

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Dave Cohn, the executive director of USC Hillel, said the past year demanded that Jewish people “stand up for our rights simply to be as Jews.” (Henry Kofman / Daily Trojan)

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Around 150 students, faculty and community members gathered near Tommy Trojan Monday night for “USC Remembers: October 7th,” an event commemorating the anniversary of Hamas’ attacks on Israel last year, which killed 1,200 people and took approximately 250 people hostage. 

Speakers shared their memories of where they were Oct. 7 and how important the Jewish community at USC has been for them in the past year. The Hillel House Band performed Hebrew songs and a TV screen played testimonies of people who survived the Oct. 7 attacks. USC Hillel, Chabad of USC, the Shoah Foundation, Trojans for Israel, USC Tikvah, Hebrew Union College and the Casden Institute for the Study of the Jewish Role in American Life hosted the event.

Will Erens, a board member of Trojans for Israel and a senior majoring in political economy, said he attended the event to reflect, celebrate and remember alongside the Jewish community at USC. He said the event was not only for the Israeli hostages but for the hostages of over 40 nationalities that were killed by Hamas Oct. 7. 

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“[We’re here] to come to reflect, to mourn, to grieve, to remember,” Erens said. “[We were] I thought, pretty divided a year ago, and after what happened on October 7 we’ve come together and become a much stronger community,” Erens said.

Dave Cohn, the executive director of USC Hillel, opened the event. He said the space was not only “a house of mourning,” but also one “of memory, of heroism, of resilience, of hope and of transcendence.” He also said that while the past year demanded that Jewish people “stand up for our rights simply to be as Jews,” it had also brought them closer together as a community. 

“We commemorate a year in our own communal and human experience that defies comparison,” Cohen said. “We see and hold the common humanity of those who died on October 7, including Jews and non-Jews … we hold too that the past year has incurred an untold human toll in lost Palestinian lives.”

Matan Yaniv, a junior majoring in cinematic arts, film and television production, shared his perspective as an international student from Israel. He said being in the United States made him feel helpless when he heard about the Oct. 7 attacks, and that when he turned to his friends for help, many gave him the silent treatment, leading him to rely on the community he found at Chabad.

“My friends, look to your right and look to your left,” Yaniv said. “These are the people you want. These are the people we need by our side, especially tonight. Don’t rely too much on anyone else. Rely on your Jewish brothers and sisters … they all know what you’re going through.”

Varun Soni, dean of religious and spiritual life, spoke at the event. He said he had never seen such a “vibrant, engaged [and] passionate” Jewish community on campus, and reminded participants that they were all interconnected to each other, USC and their community. 

“The relationships that formed this year amidst shared struggle will be the ones that ultimately change the world,” Soni said. “Please remember that there is a reason you are all here at USC, and that is to meet each other, to walk alongside each other, to show up for each other, to see yourselves in each other and ultimately, to love each other.” 

Noa Friedland, a senior majoring in business administration, and Elia Groode, a senior majoring in law, history and culture, were two of the student speakers.

After spending a “life changing three months in Tel Aviv,” Friedland said that when she returned to her “home away from home” after the Oct. 7 attacks, it was to an Israel she “no longer [recognized].” 

Groode said her friend’s younger brother had been killed while serving the Israeli military, and that every Israeli she knew had suffered as a result of Oct. 7. 

“There is never a justification for the brutal slaughter of innocent lives, much less taking pride in it,” Groode said. “What hurts the most is seeing some of my own peers, like today’s protesters, chanting slogans of hate that call for genocide of Jews. Unfortunately, the sentiment is all too familiar.” 

“It will never be easy to be Jewish,” Friedland said. “It will never be easy to be a Zionist.”

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A new exhibit at the Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures opened, representing a group of artists typically overlooked: inmates.

Inmate Art from Larimer County Jail opened Oct. 4, displaying an exhibit of inmate art projects. Attendees will be able to see it until Jan. 5, 2025. 

When visitors step into the back hallway of the museum, they are met with vibrant colors erupting from the art lining the walls. The paintings feature landscapes, football helmets, quotes and whatever else the artists wanted to express most.

“The exhibit serves as the community outreach extension of the art project I initiated at the Larimer County Jail,” Larimer County Program Specialist Clint Burkholder said. “It provides inmates with an opportunity to showcase their work, express their dreams and share their creations.”

Burkholder’s original goal was to get about three to five inmates to participate, but as word spread and he started to display the paintings around program rooms, other inmates were able to see the true form of the project, and the rest was history.

By September 2024, over 60 inmates participated in the project. Their art now lines the walls of the Global Village Museum.

“Art offers significant benefits to our inmates by providing a constructive outlet for self-expression and emotional release, which promotes mental well-being,” Burkholder said. “It builds a sense of community and improves social interactions, contributing to a more positive, rehabilitative atmosphere within the facility. I’ve witnessed these transformations firsthand.”

At first, several artists were reluctant to share that form of self-expression, nervous about rejection.

“Providing (the inmates) with the opportunity to showcase their art publicly is a significant step in their personal growth,” Burkholder said. “As their artwork began to be displayed on the walls, others became inspired and eager to join the project, curious to see what they could create themselves.” 

Because the inmates are still in custody, they are unable to see their work displayed. But Burkholder has done his best to collect their contact information so they are able to see their work when they are released. 

“I recognize the benefits and the quality of the artwork produced, but more importantly, I see the positive impact it has on those creating it,” Burkholder said. “My goal is for participants to carry their talents and newfound sense of self-worth beyond these walls, continuing their artistic pursuits and inspiring others in the community.”

Heidi Cross, a retired police officer, was visiting the jail when she saw the art facility filled with creative pieces and suggested Burkholder reach out to the museum for an exhibit.

Global Village Museum Director Barbara Schoenberger visited the jail with an associate, and thus, the idea of Inmate Art from the Larimer County Jail was born.

“(We) were taken at the variety of style and substance of the art pieces, particularly since the program was so new,” Schoenberger said. “Many pieces were remarkable in the skill displayed. We agreed immediately that this was a unique and meaningful artistic expression that needed to be shown.”

With the idea from Schoenberger, Burkholder was able to build the project from the ground up, first purchasing supplies last January.

“An added incentive was when (Burkholder) informed us that families and friends of the inmates would not be able to see their creations since the art facilities were restricted,” Schoenberger said. “We are excited for this new opportunity.”

One of the more prominent differences between this exhibit and the rest is the credentials. Usually, an artist’s name is listed along with a summary, but the artists in this exhibit will not be identified.

Though the artists are unknown, the audience can understand their purpose through the work and its significance.

“(Burkholder) beautifully captured the essence of this exhibit,” said Leisa Taylor, Global Village Museum director of communications and outreach.

Burkholder said that with this project, inmates have developed new skills not just in the artistic realm but skills that provide them with a sense of community. It has made their time incarcerated not only go by more quickly but also lessened the chance of recidivism — the likelihood of a convicted individual to relapse into criminal behavior.

“This exhibit offers (inmates) a sense of belonging and self-worth, which we hope will help prevent their return to jail,” Burkholder said. “As members of a marginalized part of society, your appreciation gives worth to us, to our work and to our dreams. Simply by opening your eyes to our art and your hearts to our experiences, you are making a meaningful difference. We thank you.”

Reach Sophie Webb at entertainment@collegian.com or on Twitter @sophgwebb.

Stephanie Santos/The Cougar

Many of us in this generation experience a state of  “solitude deprivation” in which we deprive ourselves of alone time in favor of interacting with others.

We now live in a time where solitude can be entirely erased from our lives.

At the slightest hint of boredom, we glance at a world of posts carefully curated to fit our taste and meticulously engineered to give an immediate and satisfying dose of input.

This is a recent phenomenon in the 21st century.  In the past, isolation was not only inevitable but often sought after by those pursuing great intellectual, spiritual and emotional challenges.

When we remove solitude from our lives, we not only become more prone to anxiety but also miss out on the subtle, profound value that a wandering mind can generate. Isaac Newton, one of the world’s most influential figures, was known to thrive in solitude.

When Newton left Cambridge during a global pandemic to return to his family’s farm at Woolsthorpe Manor, he produced some of his greatest work, including the invention of calculus and the theory of gravity, all while in near isolation for almost two years.

Similarly, a more contemporary figure is the renowned filmmaker Christopher Nolan whose practices revolve around intense focus and a strict disconnection from distractions.

On set and in personal life, Nolan enforces a no-phone policy, ensuring everyone involved is fully engaged in the creative process. “I am easily distractible, so I don’t want to have access to the internet every time I am bored. I do a lot of my best thinking in those in-between moments that people now fill with online activity,” Nolan said.

Likewise, Nolan also doesn’t use email. Actor Cillian Murphy, in reference to “Oppenheimer,” told media outlets that Nolan flew from L.A. to give him the actual script rather than emailing. 

Judging by Newton’s and Nolan’s successes, solitude benefits any creative pursuit. However, this does not just apply to scientists and filmmakers. 

David McCullough, the renowned American historian behind best-sellers like “1776, The Wright Brothers,” and the Pulitzer-winning biography of John Adams, finds inspiration in a small, remote cabin with green doors and windows blending in with the forest surrounding it. 

This simple workspace includes over 1,000 books, a desk, chair, lamp and a typewriter he’s used since the 1960s. “Nothing good was ever written in a large room,” McCullough said. “People say with a computer you could go so much faster. Well, I don’t want to go faster. If anything, I should go slower.”

This attitude is also supported by numerous academic studies on solitude, including a paper published by researchers at the University of Tübingen in the “=Journal of Experimental Psychology.

Psychologists studied a group of over 250 people who were encouraged to engage in directionless contemplation or free-floating thinking, according to The Guardian.

Kou Murayama, the lead author of the paper, explained that participants not only underestimated the potential enjoyment and engagement of free-thinking, but they also proactively avoided just waiting to think. 

“That could explain why people prefer keeping themselves busy with devices and other distractions, rather than taking a moment for reflection and imagination in daily life,” Murayama said.

In a world increasingly filled with distractions, the value of solitude and reflection has been lost.  Yet, it is in those moments of stillness where our minds can flourish.

Perhaps, as we navigate the noise of the modern world, we should take a lesson from these great thinkers and embrace solitude as a means to spark our own intellectual and creative breakthroughs.

Melissa Unlu is a computer science senior who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

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“We need to prioritize solitude as much as socializing” was originally posted on The Cougar

Making the MLB playoffs is not supposed to be easy, but the Atlanta Braves would have preferred a less turbulent path to make the playoffs for the sixth year in a row. Although the result was the same, this season was very different from previous years. Despite a season marred by injuries to star pitcher Spencer Strider, 2023 National League (NL) MVP outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and lineup staples like Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley and outfielder Michael Harris Jr., the Braves were able to fight for a chance to win a World Series.

Entering the season, the Braves were favorites to extend their six-year streak of winning the NL East. Though they saw regular season success, the postseason proved unkind to Atlanta last season, and they were bounced by their fierce rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies, in the NLDS. They did make two additions of note that improved their season outlook. Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos made the call to acquire former top prospect Jarred Kelenic  from the Seattle Mariners. Once thought of as one of the sport’s best young prospects, Kelenic was looking for a fresh start in Atlanta after a disappointing tenure in Seattle.. Anthopoulos also made another acquisition that received little attention at the time by landing veteran pitcher Chris Sale from the Boston Red Sox. Sale has dealt with injuries throughout his career and looked to put together a season to secure his first Cy Young award.

The Braves started out the season strong and stayed in first place for the first 31 games. Despite the strong start, the warning signs were starting to show. Strider, who finished fourth place in voting for the 2023 NL Cy Young award, got injured in just his second start. This injury kept the ace pitcher from playing for the rest of the season. On a more positive note, designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, propelled the offense. Ozuna started the season scorching hot, accumulating nine home runs and 31 RBIs in March and April while having a 1.036 OPS.

After the strong start, the Braves started to slow, only going two games above 0.500 for the months of May, June, July and Aug. Injuries once again played a factor. Albies injured his hand on a freak play in late July. Harris II suffered a hamstring strain in June which hampered Atlanta’s fielding and hitting. However, Acuna Jr. suffered a torn ACL, which sidelined the Venezuelan super star for the remainder of the season. Despite the significant injury, the Braves were able to stay afloat thanks to the depth of their roster. Players like outfielder Ramon Laureano, infielder Whit Merrifield, infielder Gio Urshela and outfielder Jorge Soler, a former postseason hero for Atlanta who was re-acquired at the trade deadline, all played a major role in keeping the team afloat.

Going into the last month of the season, the Braves had to finish strong to hold onto the playoff spot that seemed secure for the majority of the season. The team continued their cold streak from the previous months to start the month but the experienced roster knew they had to improve.

They were able to pull together when it mattered most. The Braves won seven of their last nine games before a fateful double header against the New York Mets. After the onset of Hurricane Helene, the games of the final double-header were moved to the last day of the regular season. As a result, three teams’ playoff fates were to be determined by the two games between Mets and Braves. For the Braves and Mets, the scenarios were simple: win one game to get in. The Arizona Diamondbacks, the last team fighting for the playoffs, needed one of the teams to win both games of the double header..

Game One of the double header lived up to the billing. Pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach started the game for the Braves and threw seven scoreless innings. Mets pitcher  Tylor Megill could not match Schwellenbach, throwing 5.2 innings and allowing 3 runs. However, the game got dire for Atlanta in the eighth inning. The Mets exploded for six runs to give themselves a 6-3 lead. The offensive explosion was highlighted by outfielder Brandom Nimmo, who scorched a pitch for a two-run home run off of Braves reliever Raisel Iglesias. In just one swing of his bat, Nimmo stopped the hearts of the entire crowd at the Battery. . The bottom of the eighth was highlighted by two moments. The first was when Kelenic delivered a clutch single to knock in a run and narrow the deficit to two. The second was when Albies drove a pitch to left field with the bases loaded to score three runs and give the Braves a 7-6 lead. The Mets answered once again with a two run home run by star shortstop Francisco Lindor. The home run gave the Mets a 8-7 lead. The Braves were unable to respond and were forced to win the following game of the double header in order to extend the season.

Game 2 was less climatic. The Braves took a one run lead in the second inning thanks to an Urshela RBI and never looked back. The Braves won the game 3-0 and secured a playoff series against the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card.

Despite the season being tainted by injuries, the Braves had one bright spot. Sale entered the season just looking to stay on the field. He left the season by adding a Cy Young to a highly decorated career. Sale did not just win the Cy Young, but also secured a pitching triple crown, leading the NL in wins, ERA and strikeouts. The last pitcher to win a triple crown was Clayton Kershaw in 2011. Atlanta has revitalized Sale’s career and he repaid the organization’s trust by pitching one of the best seasons in the 2020s.

After scraping into the playoffs, the Braves had the Padres waiting for them. The Padres are far from a slouch, posting an MLB-best 43-20 record in the second half of the season. The Braves did not have  Sale for the series and are hoping for third baseman Austin Riley to return from injury. As a result, Atlanta needed Ozuna, Olson and catcher Travis d’Arnaud to propel the offense to the NLDS.

They fell short of that goal, falling to the Padres in the Wild Card round in a 2-0 sweep. Atlanta soundly lost Game 1, 4-0, before narrowly dropping Game 2 by a score of 5-4. In the first game, Atlanta’s lineup had no answers for Padres starter Michael King. He went seven innings and struck out 12 batters. Conversely, Braves starter A.J Smith-Shawver gave up three runs in his first inning. An already-weakened Atlanta bullpen was forced to cover the rest of the game, which they did quite well. However, the offense could not pick them up. The Braves left 11 runners on base and struggled to find any sort of spark. Game 2 again started with a suboptimal performance from Atlanta’s starter. Max Fried, a normally reliable part of Atlanta’s rotation, only went two innings as he gave up eight hits and five runs. It did not help that he was forced to leave the game early due to a hip injury. Once again, the bullpen covered things well for Atlanta. Soler and Harris Jr. both knocked home runs in for the Braves to make it a 5-4 game. In particular, Harris’s two-run shot in the bottom of the eighth gave Atlanta some life. However, the comeback fell short at the end.

Although Atlanta lost in the Wild Card, credit must be given for their resilience through a turbulent season. They will use the winter to re-tool the roster and get back into contention for the top of the NL East as they vy for a return to the World Series next October.

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