Braves: Closer Arrested After Altercation with Father-in-Law at Stadium….

As Atlanta Braves fans have been made painfully aware of over the past week-plus, there is an ongoing dispute between Comcast-Xfinity and Diamon Sports Group, which owns Bally Sports, the broadcast partner for Braves games and other MLB teams. As such, Xfinity customers have been unable to watch Braves games on their normal Bally Sports network.

That, in itself, is a black mark for baseball, especially when it involves one of the best and most popular teams in the sport with the Braves. But somehow, with the Bravos heading back to Atlanta this week after a disastrous trip to Los Angeles for a two-game set with the Boston Red Sox, it’s looking even worse inside Truist Park.

David O’Brien of The Athletic tweeted out his view from the press box at Truist Park and showcased the fact that the TVs in the suite that normally broadcast the games are currently blacked out with the equivalent of an error message reading across the screen amid the Bally Sports-Xfinity carriage dispute. With a touch of irony, O’Brien also made sure to point out the Xfinity building in clear view beyond the right-field bleachers.

Braves game blacked out inside Truist Park amid Bally Sports-Xfinity drama

It’s truly a remarkably stupid thing that this is happening in 2024 and that, frankly, many people in the Atlanta area — which, you know, is where the majority of Braves fans reside given how much of fandom is often determined by geography — are left entirely unable to watch Ronald Acuña Jr. and this team.

Not only is Bally Sports simply unavailable currently for Xfinity subscribers (which is definitely the predominant provider in the Metro Atlanta area), but we know that the MLB.TV blackout rules are absolutely absurd and no one in the Atlanta area can watch the Braves even if they are subscribed because of that.

None of it is a good look for Bally Sports, Xfinity, or MLB. It’s all bad, and that’s not what you want, especially when you think about something like this Braves-Red Sox series, which features two of baseball’s biggest teams in terms of popularity. Now, at least half of that population is having to scramble for how to watch the game, even if they are inside the stadium!

There hasn’t been any real end in sight for the Xfinity-Bally Sports drama based on what we’ve heard. But in the interest of baseball, Braves or otherwise, we need to find a better solution for broadcasts than what we’re getting.

Moves like the one made Thursday by the Atlanta Braves always leave fans fretting and scratching their heads, wondering what is happening with their beloved team.

The Boston Red Sox traded shortstop Zack Short to the Braves for cash considerations. The Braves also traded 3B Luis Guillorme to the Los Angeles Angels for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Here are three thoughts on the trade between the Braves and Angels from Fansided’s MLB Insider Robert Murray.

Orlando Arcia and Luke Williams are currently atop the Braves’ shortstop depth chart. The pair also backs up Austin Riley at third base. With Guillorme on his way to Los Angeles, this creates some questions about depth in the infield.

What prompted these moves from the Braves?

The Athletic’s Braves beat writer David O’Brien explains that the move has to do with specific strengths and personality improvements.

Short’s move to Atlanta will make this his third team to play for in 2024. The Red Sox designated him for assignment earlier this week. In addition to speed and personality, Short has played infield and outfield positions. He will be the backup to several positions and will fill in the super-utility role left vacant by Guillorme’s trade.

Short’s hitting statistics are nothing to write home about, but as O’Brien notes, the Braves have high hopes for the youngsters’ defense. While the team has a great lineup loaded with Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Riley, Albies, and Michael Harris, Jr., having quality defense available when someone might be down is good. The team has many options, but having more quality is always good as the season gets deeper into the hot summer months.

The move will also give David Fletcher a super-utility role, as he can play second, third, and shortstop. Fletcher is currently with the Braves AAA affiliate after a stint in the majors when Ozzie Albies was injured in late April.