By River Gracey |Sports writerThe Atlanta Braves' 2019 season game to a humiliating finish after a 13-1 rout by the St. Louis Cardinals in the decisive Game 5 of the National League Divisional Series on Tuesday, Oct. 8. The Cardinals, who advanced to the National League Championship Series (losing the first game to the Washington Nationals on a near no-hitter), used a record-setting first inning that saw every Cardinal starter score a run as it was 10-0 before the third out was recorded. Atlanta Manager Brian Snitker said in the post-game press conference that “shocked” was the best term to use after the top of the first inning was over.“I am,” said Snitker, “because as we plan, we talk, game plan as it is, you talk about scenarios in the game, you don't cover that one. Because we get together as a staff and myself and (pitching coach Rick Kranitz) and Walt (Weiss) and we talk about scenarios in the game. We didn't talk about that one. That was not even on the radar for us. It might be a shaky start by a starter or maybe you're going to go short and have—that wasn't on the game plan right there. That was something totally off the realm that we would ever—you wouldn't even sit in my office and talk about that scenario right there; you know what I mean?”When it comes to what contributed most to the Braves post-season struggles, the biggest culprit is the middle of Atlanta batting lineup, namely first baseman Freddie Freeman. For a guy who hit 38 home runs and had 121 RBIs in the regular season, this was a series to forget. Freeman batted a putrid .200 (4-20) and struck out six times over the course of five games. What’s even worse for Freeman was a costly error in Game 5 that could have led to a potential double play that would have ended the first inning with the score at 1-0 Cardinals. Instead, what followed was the bases being loaded that led to the onslaught that was the first inning. Freeman will be the first to tell anybody that he feels this series came down to his poor performance.“I didn’t come through,” Freeman told the media. “I know everyone is going to say what they want to say but this one is on me.”It is hard to put the blame of a five-game series on one player, but Freeman’s struggles came at the most inopportune times. In Game 4, two times Freeman came to the plate with runners in scoring position that led to no runs being scored. Just one run would have given the Braves the cushion they needed to secure a spot in the NLCS. Add those struggles, with some costly fielding mistakes in both games 4 and 5, and it is easy to see what led to the Braves early play off exit.All that is left for the Braves now is to get ready for next season, which is certainly something to be excited about. Many of the team’s core players are still under team control for 2021 and beyond.That being said, this will be a crucial off-season for the Braves as some of the team’s key contributors are likely to walk in free agency. Pitcher Julio Tehran and outfielder Nick Markakis both have team options that have yet to be picked up. Former Cy Young winning pitcher Dallas Keuchel will for sure be looking for a big payday. Third baseman Josh Donaldson, after playing on a one-year prove-it deal, will also be looking to cash in.The Braves have plenty of money to pay everyone on their roster. With so many talented players in their farm system, however, it wouldn’t be smart to just give everyone big pay days.Players such as Austin Riley and Kyle Wright will be looking to get more playing time. Other key players in the Braves' farm system that look to make an impact are guys like outfielder Christian Pache, who some think is the best defensive prospect since Andruw Jones.The upcoming free agent pool of players is also quite deep. Pitcher Gerrit Cole will look to become one of the league’s highest paid pitchers. Third baseman Anthony Rendon will surly want to cash in after seeing other position players last year earn contracts north of $300 million each (Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, Mike Trout).The Braves are a good team. They will be for years to come. This loss is going to take a while for the team to get over, but all hope is not lost.While Braves' fans might have a bad taste in their mouths over one inning of a very long season, the team has the players and resources needed to put them in contention for a World Series championship in the near future. Contact River Gracey at rgracey@augusta.edu.