The Atlanta Braves claimed the World Series title in 2021, creating an unforgettable atmosphere that had everyone celebrating. After securing their first championship since 1995, it seemed their core would remain intact in the long term, and the future looked bright. Unfortunately, the 2022 season ended in disappointment with a first-round playoff exit. However, they bounced back with a remarkable 100-win season in 2023 and were recognized for having the league’s top offense, with each player posing a significant threat.
National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. dominated with 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases, while Matt Olson led in home runs and RBIs. Austin Riley, Michael Harris II and Sean Murphy also added to their offensive strength. Spencer Strider, the Cy Young runner-up and strikeout champion, had an outstanding season. Despite this, they faced a first-round exit by the same team that eliminated them last year—the Philadelphia Phillies.
Two seasons have passed since that high point, and the team has lost the core that led them to the World Series. Dansby Swanson is on the Chicago Cubs, Freddie Freeman is the recently-crowned World Series MVP for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Max Fried is the next up pitcher for the New York Yankees. Both Acuña Jr. and Strider are injured, and the outlook for 2025 appears grim.
It’s important to remember that this is just the beginning of the season, and there’s still plenty of time for things to change. The Braves are relying on a lot to go right this year, but there’s also a lot of potential for improvement and success.
2024 in Retrospect
As noted earlier, the Braves faced considerable injury setbacks throughout the season. Key players, including Riley, Sean Murphy, Harris II and Ozzie Albies, each spent significant time sidelined due to various injuries, which undoubtedly impacted the team’s performance. Despite these challenges, the Braves managed to showcase a remarkable aspect of their game this season: their pitching strength, rather than their batting. Their pitchers consistently delivered strong performances, helping the team remain competitive in a tough season marked by numerous injuries.
Chris Sale was acquired during the offseason, bringing with him a wealth of experience and skill that proved invaluable to the team. He showed an impressive pitching record, with 18 wins and only three losses throughout the season, accompanied by an outstanding earned run average (ERA) of 2.38. Sale dominated his competition in the National League, achieving an extraordinary level of performance that led him to top rankings in several key pitching categories. He not only led the league in total wins and strikeouts, but also boasted the best ERA among his peers, an achievement that allowed him to secure the coveted Triple Crown for pitchers. His remarkable performance culminated in him being honored as the National League Cy Young Award winner, a testament to his outstanding abilities on the mound.
In addition to Sale’s stellar contributions, rookie Spencer Schwellenbach emerged as a significant asset to the team’s pitching staff. His development and performance throughout the season enhanced the rotation, bringing fresh energy and competitiveness that complemented Sale’s leadership. Meanwhile, the bullpen played a crucial role, providing essential support in high-stakes situations, ensuring that leads were maintained and games were secured.
Overall, the pitching staff excelled not just through individual accolades, but as a cohesive unit that topped the league in vital statistics, such as team pitching, wins above replacement and ERA. This exceptional collective effort helped to offset the difficulties the team faced on the offensive side, demonstrating that a strong pitching foundation is key to success in the league. The combination of Sale’s dominance, Schwellenbach’s emergence and the bullpen’s reliability created a formidable pitching arsenal that rivaled any in the league, setting the stage for a successful season ahead.
Despite this, their postseason ended in remote disappointment, as they were swept in the wild-card round by the San Diego Padres. Chris Sale was also sidelined for this series, which is another blow to their roster. In Game One, former New York Yankees pitcher Michael King delivered an impressive performance, pitching seven scoreless innings while striking out 12 batters and walking none. The Padres’ offense was clicking, with Fernando Tatis Jr. sending the ball over the wall for a 2-run homer. Kyle Higashioka also had a sacrifice fly and a solo home run in the eighth inning, effectively shutting out the Braves. Game 2 had the Braves take an early lead with a sacrifice fly by Marcell Ozuna. However, in the 2nd inning, the Padres responded with five runs. Higashioka hit another home run, with Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill delivering key hits that contributed to the win over the Braves.
2025 Rough Start
Minus spring training, the Braves started their season facing the same team that had eliminated them from the playoffs: the Padres. They were scoreless for about 29 innings, beginning with the 5th inning of their second game against the Padres, through the last two games, which were shutouts, and ending with a home run from Harris II in their first game with the Dodgers. They lost that game 6-1. Through the four-game sweep, they were outscored 17–7, highlighting their offensive struggles. While their pitching staff had moments of effectiveness, they lacked key run support. In their second game against the Dodgers, they scored only one run, which was due to a fielding error, and lost the game 3–1. Despite this rough start, the Braves have shown potential for improvement in the 2025 season, and with the right adjustments and strategies, they could turn their season around.
As if things couldn’t get any worse, their recent outfield acquisition has been suspended just four games into the season due to testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, which has generated considerable concern among fans and team management. This suspension has sidelined him for a significant portion of the season, affecting not only his statistics but also the team’s overall performance. Furthermore, if the Braves manage to reach the postseason, he will be ineligible to participate, which could have critical implications for the team’s playoff strategy and success. This player had signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Braves this winter, following a notable season with the Padres where he not only earned his first All-Star selection but also won a prestigious Silver Slugger award, highlighting his exceptional skills at the plate. During the previous season, he achieved an impressive OPS+ of 134, indicating his offensive prowess and value as an elite player in Major League Baseball.
There’s still hope, however: Manager Brian Snitker remains optimistic despite the team’s struggles thus far. Their upcoming home opener is scheduled for April 4 against their divisional rival, the Miami Marlins. This match presents an excellent opportunity for the team to reset, regroup, and address any early-season challenges that they might be experiencing. While the current standings may appear concerning to fans and analysts alike, it’s crucial to bear in mind that the MLB operates differently than the NBA, with significantly more games remaining to be played in the season. This extended schedule allows teams the chance to turn things around and build momentum as they progress into the warmer months, when performance often begins to shift. So, despite the initial difficulties, the outlook remains somewhat positive as there is still plenty of time to rebound and make a push for improvement.