MLB · 8 months ago

Atlanta Braves: Breaking Down a Brutal Start, Time to Panic?

Sportsgrid Staff

Host · Writer

Playoff Hopes Still Alive
Despite the dreadful start, it’s far too early to write this team off. Teams like the 2023 Astros and 2019 Nationals proved that early-season slumps don’t define a season. And let’s not forget that Atlanta themselves have rebounded from slow starts in recent years to make the postseason. No, an 0-7 record has never resulted in a playoff berth — but no previous 0-7 team had the firepower or pedigree of this Braves squad. There’s plenty of baseball left, and if any team can make history, it’s Atlanta.

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A Troubling Start to the Season
The Atlanta Braves have stumbled out of the gate in 2025, and there’s no sugarcoating it — it’s been rough. With an 0-7 record to open the season, it marks their worst start since 2016. The offense has sputtered to a halt, contributing to a concerning 14-32 run differential and an alarming 29-inning scoreless streak. This is not how the script was supposed to begin for a team with championship aspirations.

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Offense Fails to Deliver
While Atlanta’s starting pitchers have primarily held up their end of the bargain, the offense has been the Achilles’ heel thus far. Injuries have certainly played a role — Ronald Acuna Jr. is still recovering, Sean Murphy is only now starting his rehab, and Jurickson Profar has been hit with an 80-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy. Yet even with these setbacks, a lineup this talented should be producing far more than it has.
Slump from Core Players
Despite the team’s horrific offensive numbers, assuming this is the new norm would be premature. Key players like Austin Riley, Matt Olson, and Ozzie Albies are underperforming relative to their career norms. Riley is batting just .111 after averaging .272 over the last three years. But star players rarely fall off a cliff, and the return of Murphy and Acuna Jr. should provide a needed spark. Expect these numbers to normalize by midseason.
Don’t Panic on Drake Baldwin
Catcher Drake Baldwin’s debut might not look promising initially, but a deeper dive reveals a different story. Despite hitting just .056, Baldwin is making elite contact, ranking in the top five in the league in hard-hit percentage and posting strong expected slugging numbers. His misfortune has more to do with bad luck than poor skill. Given his underlying metrics, Baldwin is poised for a breakout once the bounces start going his way.
Corner Outfield in Flux
One area that’s a genuine cause for concern is the Braves’ corner outfield situation. With Profar suspended and Acuna Jr. still sidelined, the team must lean on Jarred Kelenic and a rotating cast that includes Bryan De La Cruz and Eli White. None of these players was penciled in as regular starters when the year began, and it shows. Unless someone steps up — or the front office finds a creative trade solution — this could remain a weak spot all year.
Playoff Hopes Still Alive
Despite the dreadful start, it’s far too early to write this team off. Teams like the 2023 Astros and 2019 Nationals proved that early-season slumps don’t define a season. And let’s not forget that Atlanta themselves have rebounded from slow starts in recent years to make the postseason. No, an 0-7 record has never resulted in a playoff berth — but no previous 0-7 team had the firepower or pedigree of this Braves squad. There’s plenty of baseball left, and if any team can make history, it’s Atlanta.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
A Troubling Start to the Season
The Atlanta Braves have stumbled out of the gate in 2025, and there’s no sugarcoating it — it’s been rough. With an 0-7 record to open the season, it marks their worst start since 2016. The offense has sputtered to a halt, contributing to a concerning 14-32 run differential and an alarming 29-inning scoreless streak. This is not how the script was supposed to begin for a team with championship aspirations.

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Atlanta Braves: Breaking Down a Brutal Start, Time to Panic?

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