In 2024, the Atlanta Braves limped to 89-73 after a season ridden with injuries and bad performances. The Braves unfortunately finished their 2024 season by being murdered by the San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card. The result of Atlanta’s playoff berth did not surprise many, thanks to their harsh underperformance in 2024.
According to FanDuel, the Braves are projected to be around 93.5 wins for the 2025 season. In 2025, it is simply not that the Braves CAN’T hit above 93.5 wins; it’s just that they probably won’t. Here’s why:
2025 Atlanta Braves O/U: Why the Braves Will Likely Hit Below the Under
The Braves Got Worse After 2024, Not Better
A considerable part of the unsuccess of 2024 was the injuries. Most of the Braves superstars missed a significant amount of time. However, regardless of this excuse for a lousy season, Atlanta also underperformed because of their players, well.. underperforming. However, despite this, the Braves decided not to spend money this offseason. Sure, the Braves acquired Jurickson Profar. However, Atlanta lost Max Fried, Charlie Morton, A.J. Minter, and Travis d’Arnoud. In other words, the signing of the star Profar, wasn’t enough to say the Braves improved their roster. Other than Profar, Atlanta was largely static in free agency.
The rotation looks way worse with the loss of Fried and Morton. Even with the return of Spencer Strider and Reynaldo Lopez, the Braves rotation is at serious risk of injury. Another pressing question remains for the rotation: will Chris Sale be healthy for a second straight year?
The rotation can be good, but injuries can quickly turn the team upside down. Lopez, Sale, and Strider, the cornerstones of the rotation, all had or have had major injury issues in the last few seasons. The rotation seems like it could quickly fall apart, even with one of these pitchers falling to injury. The rotation could very well become a major reason why the team might not win over 93 games.
EVERBODY On the Offensive Side Was Terrible in 2024
Now, Michael Harris II will be given a pass here. However, lets simply sum up just how bad the team was last year by looking at this years starter’s:
LF: Jurickson Profar: Great year, but played for San Diego
CF: Michael Harris: Did just fine after injury
RF: Ronald Acuna Jr.:49 GP, Just 4 HR and a .250 average before ACL tear
3B: Austin Riley: 110 GP, 19 HR (37 in the year prior), missed significant time
SS: Orlando Arcia: 157 GP, 17 HR, took a lot blame for low average and just overall bad play
2B: Ozzie Albies: 99 GP, 10 HR (33 in the year prior), was pretty terrible after injury
1B: Matt Olson: 162 GP, 29 HR (54 in the year prior), wasn’t ever injured but still failed miserably to make up for all other injuries
C: Sean Murphy: 72 GP, 10 HR, despite good power was terrible with a .193 average and suffered injurie
DH: Marcell Ozuna: 162 GP, 39 HR, was pretty awesome but power died in late season
The Braves, as one can see clearly here, were terrible in 2024. Injuries and underperformances affected almost every single player on the team in 2024. There are two things possible in 2025: First, the Braves players turn around and return to stardom, challenging the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East.
Or, secondly, the Braves have injury problems and players continue to stink and cause the Braves to be another bad team in 2025. Now, one should not expect for every player to stop being stars suddenly, however, is it realistic to think that injuries and underperformances won’t hinder the team in 2025? The Braves will likely get over 90 wins, however, getting over 93 seems a little high.
Overall, Atlanta’s season depends on whether the players will do well or continue their underperforming. As said before, Atlanta CAN win over 93 games, but the question remains will they win over 93 games and retake the NL East?
Main Image: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
