Let’s set the stage. A bright Wednesday matinee, fresh hope with the return of Spencer Strider, and a shot at snapping a frustrating stretch in Toronto. But what did the Atlanta Braves deliver?
A 3-1 loss that felt more like déjà vu than redemption — a quiet bat day, a few too many punchouts, and a growing sense that something just isn’t right.
Let’s talk about the good first because there was some good. Spencer Strider made his long-awaited return to the mound after over a year away from major league hitters and held his own.
Five innings, five Ks, two earned runs — that’s not a lights-out line, but considering the layoff, that’s exactly the kind of start you take every day and twice on Sunday. Strider didn’t dominate, but he reminded Braves fans that he’s back, and the fire’s still burning.
Braves Vanishing Act at the Plate
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Atlanta’s offense, which once again went completely silent. Sure, Bill Miller’s home plate zone had the consistency of a GPS signal in a tunnel, but this team struck out 19 times.
That’s not a typo — 19. That’s not just bad luck, that’s a breakdown. And when Michael Harris II and Austin Riley both wear the dreaded Golden Sombrero on the same day? That’s not just a hiccup, that’s a full-blown siren.
Yes, Matt Olson has been snakebitten by batted ball luck, and yes, Drake Baldwin gave fans something to cheer for with his first big league homer, but when four guys strike out three times apiece, you’re not going to win. You’re not even going to give yourself a shot.
The Pitching Picture: Promise and Problems
But the truth? The offense isn’t the only group under fire. The whole pitching staff hasn’t covered itself in glory, either. The 2025 season so far feels like a watered-down version of 2024’s early woes, but with less upside. Grant Holmes? He’s been a bright spot. But beyond Strider and Holmes, it’s been a rollercoaster with more downs than ups.
This is a staff that’s supposed to have firepower. And maybe it still does. Spencer Strider’s return is a major boost. Chris Sale’s still working out the kinks. And Spencer Schwellenbach is trying to climb out of his own rut, although just one off game. If all goes well, this rotation could still round into form — but it’s not there yet.
Looking Ahead: The Clock Isn’t Ticking Yet
And yet, the voices from inside the clubhouse — like Matt Olson — aren’t dodging responsibility. They know. They feel the weight of the early-season slump. And they know that with Ronald Acuña Jr. still on the mend, they can’t just tread water and hope for a spark.
The Braves are 5-13. That’s not a hiccup. That’s a serious rut. But with Strider back, Sale inching toward form, and Schwellenbach fighting to keep his rhythm, there’s hope on the mound. The bigger question is: will the offense rise with them? That’s the storyline Braves fans are watching like a hawk.
They’ve got time. But they’re burning through their cushion, one empty at-bat at a time.
