Braves’ 2025 Season Spirals: Strider Struggles Symbolize Atlanta’s Woes
The 2025 MLB season is rapidly devolving into a nightmare for the Atlanta Braves. With a crushing loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Braves fell to a disappointing 27-32 record — a far cry from the high expectations set during spring training. Even more troubling than their record is the trend it represents: Atlanta has dropped nine of its last 12 games, slipping further from playoff contention and stirring deep concern among fans, coaches, and the front office.
As losses mount, tension around the organization is reaching a boiling point. Head coach Brian Snitker has already begun making adjustments to his staff, and general manager Alex Anthopoulos — typically a behind-the-scenes operator — has broken his silence with public statements meant to calm growing discontent in Braves Country.
Drake Baldwin a Rare Beacon in a Cloudy Season
Despite the turbulence, catcher Drake Baldwin has emerged as one of the few bright spots for Atlanta this season. His consistent performance at the plate and behind it has provided a much-needed silver lining. Baldwin’s standout effort in the recent loss to the Diamondbacks was yet another example of his resilience and talent, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to halt the Braves’ downward spiral.
As the rest of the lineup struggles with inconsistency and injuries, Baldwin’s contributions have only highlighted how little is going right elsewhere.
Spencer Strider: Once Dominant, Now Desperate
Perhaps no player embodies Atlanta’s current dysfunction more than Spencer Strider. The hard-throwing right-hander, once a Cy Young contender and linchpin of the Braves’ rotation, has looked like a shell of his former self since returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for over a year.
In his most recent outing against Arizona, Strider’s struggles were glaring. The Diamondbacks shelled him early, quickly putting the game out of reach. While rust is to be expected following such a lengthy layoff, Strider’s issues extend beyond mere timing.
His fastball — previously one of the most electric in the game — was ineffective. Despite throwing 22 four-seamers, he generated only one swing-and-miss, a shocking departure from the dominant whiff rate that made him famous. The velocity dip has been noted, but perhaps more concerning is his command. Missed spots turned into meatballs, and big-league hitters took full advantage.
Each of the home runs hit by Arizona came off center-cut pitches that simply don’t belong at this level—95 mph fastballs without movement, sitting in the heart of the zone. At this pace, Strider will continue to be a liability, not the ace Atlanta desperately needs.
A Bigger Picture of Decline
Strider’s deterioration is more than a personal setback; it’s a mirror of the Braves’ season as a whole. There is still immense talent on this roster — a core that’s been to the postseason, won division titles, and carried expectations of another World Series run. But like Strider, the team is playing like a ghost of its former self, weighed down by injuries, inconsistency, and mental lapses.
The Braves came into 2025 with hopes of redemption and resurgence, but those dreams are being crushed under the harsh reality of a tough National League. With the Phillies and Dodgers surging, Atlanta can’t afford to give away games while waiting for players to “figure it out.”
The Path Forward: Urgency and Accountability
The Braves’ coaching staff is undoubtedly aware that time is running out. Every loss deepens the hole, and every ineffective outing from a once-reliable arm like Strider chips away at the team’s confidence. Atlanta must now strike a balance between patience and urgency — allowing Strider time to regain his form while also finding ways to stay afloat in a crowded playoff race.
For Strider himself, the road back to dominance will require more than just regained velocity. He needs sharper command, smarter sequencing, and better adjustments mid-game. Leaning on his off-speed arsenal has become a necessity, not a luxury, but even those pitches have lacked the sharp bite and deception they once had.
This is a defining stretch for both the pitcher and his club. If Strider can reclaim his ace status, it could serve as the catalyst for a Braves turnaround. If not, Atlanta risks wasting another season of its championship-caliber core — and potentially watching its fan base lose faith.
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