The Atlanta Braves’ 2025 season is quickly slipping away. Their latest defeat at the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks dropped their record to 27-32, marking their ninth loss in the last 12 games. The team’s struggles have already triggered coaching changes and forced general manager Alex Anthopoulos into the spotlight to try and reassure fans during recent media appearances.
Drake Baldwin remains one of the very few bright spots for Atlanta this year, and even his strong showing in the latest game wasn’t enough to halt the team’s skid. Things unraveled fast after Spencer Strider took the mound and was rocked by Arizona’s lineup. It’s only been three starts since Strider returned from a hamstring injury, but one thing is clear — he’s not the same pitcher right now.
Strider’s Rust Becoming a Major Issue — And the Braves Can’t Afford to Wait
No one expected Strider to return after a year away from the mound and immediately dominate like the Cy Young-caliber pitcher we’ve seen in previous seasons. Still, the rust is showing in a big way — and the Braves are in no position to endure growing pains with their season teetering.
Against Arizona, Strider generated 22 swings on his fastball but managed just one swing-and-miss — a shocking stat for a pitch that used to overwhelm hitters. His well-documented velocity dip is only part of the issue; his command is also off. That’s led him to rely more heavily on his offspeed stuff deeper into games.
Unfortunately, every pitch the Diamondbacks took deep came off poorly located fastballs — right down the middle at just 95 mph. That’s simply not going to cut it in the majors, and unless he regains his sharpness and precision, Strider is going to continue getting hit hard.
Strider’s current struggles reflect the broader issues plaguing the Braves in 2025: a roster full of potential that just isn’t living up to expectations. Injuries and inconsistency have changed the outlook — now it’s on both Strider and the team to right the ship. If they don’t, fans are in for a long, frustrating summer.
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