What We Are Seeing From The Braves So Far This Season: Slow Start, But Signs of Life Emerging

The Atlanta Braves entered the 2025 season with high expectations and one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball. But after the first six series of the season, the team found itself stuck in unfamiliar territory: chasing momentum and fighting to climb out of an early-season hole. Through 18 games, Atlanta stood at 5–13, their worst start in nearly a decade. Inconsistent pitching, a quiet middle of the lineup, injuries and suspensions all played their part. Yet the sweep of the Minnesota Twins to close out the third week of April showed what this team is capable of when everything clicks.

Let’s take a look at how they got here.

Series 1: @ San Diego Padres (March 28–30) — Padres sweep series 3–0

The Braves opened the season on the West Coast and immediately ran into trouble against a sharp San Diego club. Game 1 saw the Braves take an early 3–2 lead behind a two-run homer from Ozzie Albies and an Austin Riley solo shot, but the Padres answered with a four-run seventh to take control. Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, and Luis Arraez all drove in runs late in the game to secure a 7–4 win.

Game 2 followed a similar pattern. Marcell Ozuna tied the game with a two-run single in the third and Jarred Kelenic homered to knot it at 3–3, but Jake Cronenworth delivered the deciding blow with a solo shot in the eighth.

By Game 3, the Braves bats fell completely silent, and San Diego pulled out a 1–0 win in a tight pitcher’s duel. Atlanta was swept to open the year, scoring only eight runs across the three games.

Series 2: @ Los Angeles Dodgers (March 31–April 2) — Dodgers sweep series 3–0

If San Diego was a wake-up call, Los Angeles was a gut punch. Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers jumped on Atlanta pitching in Game 1, with Teoscar Hernández hitting a two-run homer in the first. The Braves dropped the game 6–1, their only run coming on a solo shot from Michael Harris II.

Game 2 offered a glimmer of hope when Ozuna and Riley drove in early runs, but a Mookie Betts homer flipped the game, and L.A. pulled ahead 3–1.

Game 3 was the most painful. Atlanta built a 5–2 lead behind a five-run outburst, highlighted by doubles from Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies. But the bullpen collapsed late, allowing four runs in the final two innings. Max Muncy tied it, and Ohtani walked it off with a solo shot in the ninth to complete the sweep.

Series 3: vs. Miami Marlins (April 4–6) — Series tied 1–1, Game 3 postponed

Atlanta finally returned home and earned its first win of the season in convincing fashion. Spencer Schwellenbach threw eight scoreless innings, and the bats exploded in the seventh and eighth innings. Ozuna and Olson hit back-to-back homers, and the Braves cruised to a 10–0 victory.

But the celebration was short-lived. In Game 2, the Marlins shut Atlanta out 4–0 behind a strong start from their rotation and a two-homer night from Matt Mervis. Game 3 was postponed due to rain.

Series 4: vs. Philadelphia Phillies (April 8–10) — Braves win series 2–1

Finally, the Braves looked like the team many expected them to be. After falling behind 1–0 in the opener, Sean Murphy launched a three-run homer in the second to swing momentum. The Braves tacked on runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings to win 7–5.

Game 2 was a back-and-forth battle. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber powered the Phillies with late home runs, and Trea Turner’s solo blast in the ninth gave Philly a 4–3 win.

But in the rubber match, the Braves responded. Austin Riley doubled in the tying run in the 11th, and Ozuna followed with a two-run walk-off homer to give Atlanta a 4–2 win and their first series victory of the season.

Series 5: @ Tampa Bay Rays (April 11–13) — Rays win series 2–1

Back on the road, Atlanta dropped the opener 6–3, despite late homers from Ozuna and Albies. In Game 2, the offense came alive in the ninth. Michael Harris II hit a two-run shot to give the Braves a 5–3 lead, and they held on for their first road win of the year.

Game 3, however, was all Tampa. The Rays tagged Atlanta pitchers for eight runs, including a three-run homer from Junior Caminero. Atlanta managed just one hit all game and fell 8–3.

Series 6: @ Toronto Blue Jays (April 14–16) — Blue Jays win series 2–1

Austin Riley homered twice in Game 1, and the Braves looked dominant in an 8–4 win. But Toronto bounced back. In Game 2, they scored six unanswered runs, including back-to-back home runs from Roden and Santander. Atlanta made it close late, but couldn’t overcome the deficit.

The finale was a heartbreaker. Chris Bassitt led a Blue Jays pitching staff that struck out 19 Braves hitters, tying a franchise record for Atlanta. Despite a solo homer from Drake Baldwin in the ninth, Atlanta fell 3–1, and the series slipped away.

Series 7: vs. Minnesota Twins (April 18–20) — Braves sweep series 3–0

Returning to Truist Park with a 5–13 record, Atlanta was desperate for a turnaround. The three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins may prove to be the jolt this team needed.

In Game 1, the Braves trailed 4–1 heading into the eighth, but they erupted for five runs. Michael Harris II delivered a game-tying two-RBI single, and Drake Baldwin followed with a go-ahead knock to cap the comeback. Raisel Iglesias slammed the door in the ninth, giving the Braves a 6–4 win.

Game 2 again saw the Braves fall behind early. Minnesota took a 3–2 lead into the sixth, but Harris belted a 446-foot solo homer to tie it. Alex Verdugo, who went 4-for-5, drove in the go-ahead run moments later. The bullpen pitched four more shutout innings, and Atlanta held on 4–3.

Sunday's finale featured no drama, just dominance. Matt Olson got the scoring started with a two-run homer in the first, and Drake Baldwin launched his second long ball of the series in the third. Second year starter Grant Holmes threw five strong innings, and the Braves closed out the sweep with a 6–2 win.

The bullpen—a point of concern earlier in the month—was perfect across all three games. Harris II finished the series 6-for-12 with 4 RBIs, a home run, and a stolen base. Verdugo, Baldwin, and Olson all contributed clutch hits, and the Braves, for the first time all year, looked complete.

Looking Ahead

Atlanta enters the final week of April with an 8–13 record. That’s still well below expectations, but the energy around the team feels different. The lineup is waking up. The bullpen has stabilized. The Twins series didn’t just add three wins—it restored belief.

If the Braves can ride this momentum into their next few series, they’ll put that rocky start in the rearview mirror fast. There’s still a long season ahead—and for the first time all month, it finally feels like it.