Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams showcased his skills during a matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park, making a crucial throw to first base after fielding a ground ball from outfielder Jordan Walker.
The Atlanta Braves began the 2025 season struggling with a disappointing 5-13 record, leading to a seven-game losing streak. However, they have since regained momentum, improving to a 14-8 record. This resurgence reflects the talent available within the Braves’ lineup, which is rich in All-Star caliber players, making them a perennial threat in Major League Baseball.
**Team Stats Overview:**
**Pitching:** Braves’ Chris Sale, a 2024 NL Cy Young winner, faced challenges at the start of the season with a high ERA of 6.75. Lately, he’s turned things around, managing to lower his ERA to 3.97 and striking out 28 opponents in his last three games. Atlanta’s overall pitching performance has been average, with a team ERA of 3.89, ranking 16th in the league.
**Hitting:** Austin Riley has emerged as a key player, leading the Braves in home runs (8), batting average (.283), and slugging percentage (.470) after a lackluster previous year. Marcell Ozuna also contributes significantly, leading the team in OPS (.841). Despite individual successes, the Braves’ offense has struggled collectively, recording a .237 batting average, putting them 21st among teams.
**Pitching Matchups:**
– **Game One – Monday, 7:15 EDT**
– **Washington:** Jake Irvin (2-1) with a 3.94 ERA looks to build on a solid performance from his last outing against the Cleveland Guardians.
– **Atlanta:** Grant Holmes (2-3) enters with a 4.58 ERA, coming off a rough performance that saw him give up four earned runs.
– **Game Two – Tuesday, 7:15 EDT**
– **Washington:** Michael Soroka (0-2) returns from injury but had a challenging performance recently, allowing four earned runs.
– **Atlanta:** Spencer Schwellenbach (1-3) has been a reliable option, coming off a strong outing with only one earned run in his last start.
– **Game Three – Wednesday, 7:15 EDT**
– **Washington:** Mitchell Parker (3-3) looks to bounce back after a tough outing, contributing to an embarrassing loss recently.
– **Atlanta:** Bryce Elder (2-2) seeks to improve on his inconsistent performance but had a quality start in his last outing.
– **Game Four – Thursday, 7:15 EDT**
– **Washington:** Trevor Williams (2-4) aims to shake off a challenging season with recent struggles that led to losses.
– **Atlanta:** AJ Smith-Shawver (2-2), at just 22 years old, has shone brightly this season and is expected to lead the Braves’ pitching efforts.
For both the Braves and Nationals, this series is significant as they look to establish themselves in a highly competitive National League East division, which is currently dominated by the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. The Braves, known for their rich talent pool, are at a critical juncture to prove their merits, while the Nationals continue to rely on their young talents to make an impact.
The resilience displayed by both teams offers hope for a thrilling series ahead, as they strive to improve their standings and make a strong push in the league.