The Atlanta Braves are entering the 2025 season with a chip on their shoulder after injuries derailed their 2024 campaign. Despite last year’s setbacks, there’s plenty of optimism surrounding the Braves as they aim to bounce back in a big way. In fact, ESPN’s poll of baseball insiders revealed that the Braves are the team most likely to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers for the World Series crown this season.
“A healthy Braves team can go toe-to-toe with the Dodgers,” an American League executive said. “The slower return of [Spencer] Strider and [Ronald] Acuña could work to their favor later on. If they’re peaking come October, watch out for the Braves.”
The Boston Red Sox also received some love, but only as a long-shot contender. Their potential hinges heavily on the rapid development of their highly-touted prospects like Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Marcelo Mayer. But when it comes to competing with the Dodgers, the Braves seem to be the consensus pick.
Still, the Braves’ season didn’t get off to the ideal start. Atlanta fell to the San Diego Padres 7-4 on Opening Day, with the bullpen squandering a lead during a brutal seventh inning. Braves manager Brian Snitker didn’t sugarcoat the struggles. “It was a tough inning in all respects, really,” Snitker said, referring to the disastrous four-run frame that started with Hector Neris giving up a 405-foot homer to pinch hitter Gavin Sheets.
Despite the early setback, confidence in the Braves’ bullpen remains high. Chris Sale, the 2024 Cy Young winner, urged patience after the disappointing opener. “I think it’s just the first game of the season, man, honestly,” Sale said. “Anything can happen. This is a long season. You know, check the book, Neris has been a bad man for a long time. So I’ll take him in any situation, any inning, any game.”
It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and the Braves have plenty of talent to work with. If their bullpen can clean things up and the roster can stay healthy, this Atlanta team has all the pieces to be a legitimate contender. They’ve got a lot to prove, and you can bet they’ll be playing with a little extra motivation all year long.
