Having lost seven of their last nine games, the Atlanta Braves are rapidly slipping out of contention in the National League East. Last night’s game followed a familiar script—plenty of hard-hit balls that found gloves, runners left stranded, and only one run crossing the plate over nine innings.
Atlanta’s disappointing 26-30 start has been a team-wide effort, with each game presenting a new source of frustration for fans. Manager Brian Snitker often finds himself in the crosshairs, and while some criticism is justified, not all of it can be pinned on him.
In last night’s matchup, Snitker’s decision to leave pitcher Grant Holmes in to face Abraham Toro raised eyebrows. Toro, already 2-for-2 on the night, drove in a key run with a double in the sixth inning to extend Boston’s lead. It was a situation reminiscent of an earlier misstep in Arizona, where Holmes was left in too long against Eugenio Suarez and paid the price. Once again, Snitker hesitated and was burned.
Still, the bullpen choice wasn’t the main issue—the Braves’ offense was. Atlanta’s inability to deliver with runners in scoring position continues to be the team’s Achilles heel.
The Braves are scoring at a troublingly low rate
As of Saturday morning, Atlanta had scored just 230 runs this season—only one more than the Miami Marlins, a team without a single former All-Star in their lineup. For a roster packed with talent, including players like Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II, and Austin Riley, this level of production is unacceptable. While early-season slumps may not last forever, something needs to change immediately.
If the Braves continue this pace, their playoff hopes will fade fast in a competitive National League. Although Snitker is often blamed for the team’s struggles, he can’t swing the bat for his players. He can’t conjure clutch hits or spark the offense with a pep talk. Atlanta’s 2025 woes begin and end with its offense—and if they don’t turn things around soon, Snitker could end up paying the price for it.
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