Ami Korn
The Braves entered May 2024 with a record of 19-9. The Braves entered May 2025 with a record of 14-16, after opening the season with a 0-7 skid. This past offseason the Braves lost their star left-handed pitcher Max Fried to the Yankees via free agency. They then proceeded to lose their star outfield free agent pickup, Jurickson Profar, to a PED (performance-enhancing drug) suspension, which will leave him sidelined for the majority of the season. The Braves’ cornerstone player, Ronald Acuna, continues to miss games with yet another injury, expected to return in late May.
On the flip side of the diamond, their ace, Spencer Strider, returned from injury shortly after the beginning of the season and gave the Braves a quality start. Unfortunately, that one start has been his total current season contribution, due to a hamstring strain which has returned him to the injured list indefinitely. Another key pitcher for the Braves, Reynaldo Lopez, is also missing time with an injury, and his return date is currently listed as TBD. Not only are key players missing playing time, but consistent bats are slumping. Former All-Stars Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, and Michael Harris II have all struggled to find their rhythm, hitting well below their usual production.
Despite the Braves’ struggles, they have managed to maintain a winning record post their 7-game losing streak, putting them in 4th place in their division. Do the Braves have a chance to come back and make a run at the playoffs? The Braves’ success will depend on their ability to achieve and then maintain a somewhat competitive record (slightly above .500) until their key pieces return. This will give the guys in the lineup who are slumping adequate time to start performing, so when Acuna and co. do come back, the Braves are a fired-up and oiled tank ready to head into the heat of battle.
Comments are closed.