Starting with two consecutive losses to the Washington Nationals, and continuing as the Atlanta Braves have just dropped their series against the St.Louis Cardinals, the Atlanta team is going through what most like to call a rough-stretch. On paper, the Braves seem to be getting absolutely dominated in these recent losses, causing a little bit of panic among Braves fans. However, there are things people need to remember: they're still in first place in the NL East!!!

Ron Washington's letter to the players@FoxSportsBraves / Twitter

Above is a motivational piece that Braves' third-base coach, Ron Washington, left for the players today as they enter game three with the Cardinals. The ability to win the current series is off the table, but the ability to continue winning the NL East is not, and that should be the focus of this team right now. September is full of challenging baseball to play, and tough stretches like this are expected within clubs, especially youthful ones like the Braves.

Game-to-game the Braves seem to be falling off but in the grand scheme of things they are still 5.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies, who have also been going through it, losing 8 of their last 11. Individual games are the most important statistic at this point in the major league season, and if the Braves can focus on winning the next game, then the next, and so on, they will be just fine. The positivity among the coaching staff is refreshing and reinstalls hope, not only in the players but the fans who need it most. For the first time in a very long time the Braves are in a healthy position to make the post-season, and now more than ever is the time for the fans to have faith and keep supporting.

After the series with the Cardinals wraps up, the Braves are set to face the Philadelphia Phillies.

So, get ready for some exciting baseball!