The Atlanta Braves are 4-11 for a multitude of reasons. They are the third worst team in MLB when it comes to hitting with runners in scoring position, all of the Braves’ starting pitchers besides Spencer Schwellenbach have an ERA at 4.00 or above, and the Braves’ batting average as a team is .227.
However, with Spencer Strider reportedly set to make his return on Wednesday, and Ronald Acuña Jr. getting close to making his return as well. The Braves should get better in the pitching and hitting department soo, but they still need their reigning NL Cy Young award winner Chris Sale to pitch better than he has been to start his 2025 season.
After yesterday’s start where Sale gave up six hits, four runs, three of them earned, struck out seven and walked three in 4 ⅓ innings his ERA is now up to 6.63, and earlier today The Morning Shift talked about how they don’t need him to replicate his Cy Young season, but they do need him to at least pitch better than Grant Holmes, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Bryce Elder are right now.
“I don’t think you need him to be Cy Young again. I think you have Schwelly [Spencer Schwellenbach], and you have [Spencer] Strider, but you can’t have him be closer, with no disrespect, you can’t have him be closer to Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, and AJ Smith-Shawver than he is to what Strider and Schwelly are doing.” Abe Gordon said
Sale’s velocity, which had been down to start the season, was back up yesterday, so hopefully that is a sign of good things to come for the southpaw because if the Braves are going to turn things around and make a run at the postseason they will need Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, AND Chris Sale to carry the top of the rotation, and lead them to wins consistently.