You can almost feel the frustration simmering beneath the surface with Atlanta Braves pitcher Bryce Elder. If there’s one thing that’s becoming crystal clear, the first inning has become his personal Bermuda Triangle.
Let’s call it like it is. In four of his last six Major League starts the opposition has wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. One run here, three runs there—it’s become a recurring theme that Braves fans have learned to brace for.
The troubling part? These aren’t just unlucky innings or freak hits. They’re full-on wake-up calls that almost immediately force Atlanta to play from behind.
The Tale of Two Pitchers
Here’s what makes it all so maddening: once Elder finds his rhythm, he can be downright stingy. The trouble is, that rhythm doesn’t seem to show up until after the Braves are already digging out of a hole.
Take his recent outing against the Red Sox. Three earned runs in the first. Then? Cruise control. Six hits, three walks, four strikeouts across 5 1/3 innings. It wasn’t dominant, but it was stabilizing. Just a bit too late.
Elder himself knows it. He’s not hiding behind excuses. In fact, his candid comments reveal just how much he understands the difference between Triple-A and Major League pressure. It’s the same mound, sure, but what are the expectations? The adrenaline? The margin for error? All different. “It’s not an excuse at all,” he said. “I’ve got to get the job done.”
And that’s the internal battle he’s wrestling with—he can be a very good pitcher. But he can’t afford to give up early runs and count on the offense to bail him out every time. Not when the team is hovering below .500, and playoff aspirations are already slipping.
A Game of Inches and Emotions
Going down 3-0 in the first inning doesn’t just affect Elder’s stat line, it shifts the tone of the game. Hitters become more aggressive or more cautious. Managers tweak their strategies. And the crowd goes from hopeful hum to anxious buzz.
Elder’s mindset is locked in on the path forward. “All I’m worried about is my next start,” he said. “Just going out there and making pitches and giving the team the chance to win.” That’s the mentality the Braves need right now.
Can he crack the first-inning code? Can he find that rhythm before the scoreboard starts blinking? If so, Atlanta might have a reliable arm back in its rotation.
