If you’d told anyone in March that the Atlanta Braves would be sitting at 4-11 and scraping the bottom of the NL East by mid-April, they’d probably ask what fever dream you were having.
Yet here we are, watching a World Series favorite stumble out of the gate like it forgot its cleats. But let’s dig into what’s going wrong, what’s confusing, and maybe — just maybe — what’s starting to go right.
The Curious Case of AJ Smith-Shawver
Let’s start with the decision that’s got Braves Country buzzing: demoting AJ Smith-Shawver to Triple-A. Now look, when you’ve got Spencer Strider ready to reclaim his throne atop the rotation, somebody’s got to move.
But Smith-Shawver? After fanning seven Rays in five innings and giving up just two runs? That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when the other options were Grant Holmes (who has looked sharp) and Bryce Elder, who has been riding a rough stretch that dates all the way back to mid-2023.
Elder’s post-All-Star numbers are hard to ignore: 5.82 ERA over 120+ innings — that’s near the bottom of the league. And yet, the Braves are sticking with him. Why? Experience? Seniority? Vibes? Because from a pure performance standpoint, this one’s got a lot of fans scratching their heads.
Albies Sparks a Fire (Hopefully)
Just when it looked like the Braves were going to sleepwalk through another loss, Ozzie Albies and Sean Murphy lit a fire under this team. That eighth-inning back-to-back blast was followed up by Michael Harris II going deep in the ninth — and suddenly, the Braves had life.
The 5-4 comeback win against Tampa wasn’t just a victory but a gut-check moment. It was messy, dramatic, and exactly the kind of win that could shake off the early-season blues.
Ozzie’s message afterward? Stay positive. Sure, it sounds a little like “fake it till you make it,” but when you’re 4-11, positivity is about all you’ve got to lean on. One win doesn’t fix a season, but it can start a streak. The Braves haven’t won back-to-back games yet this year. That needs to change fast.
Spencer Strider: The Braves Cavalry Arrives
Here’s the news Braves fans have been waiting for: Spencer Strider is almost definitely back this week. He’s carved up Triple-A lineups in rehab starts and looks locked in to pitch Wednesday in Toronto.
That means Elder likely gets bumped — finally — and the Braves get back their ace. When he’s healthy, Strider is pure electricity. We’re talking about a guy who can swing momentum in one outing, shut down any lineup, and strike out 10 without breaking a sweat.
His return won’t magically fix the Braves’ offensive woes or erase the confusion over roster choices. However, it will bring a much-needed boost to a team that’s badly lacking energy.
This isn’t just a cold start — it’s an identity crisis. The Braves are too talented to be playing this poorly, but talent only gets you so far. It’s time to get angry. It’s time to get hungry. And maybe, just maybe, Saturday’s comeback and Strider’s return are the spark that starts the fire.
