2025 Atlanta Braves Season Preview: A Championship Window Still Wide Open

For the Atlanta Braves, making the playoffs isn’t a goal—it’s the expectation.

Seven straight postseason appearances. 24 in the past 33 seasons. This is a franchise that has defined consistency, but in 2024, it felt like something was missing.

They lost Spencer Strider after just two starts. Then, Ronald Acuña Jr.—coming off an MVP season—tore his ACL in June. Despite it all, Atlanta still won 89 games and reached the playoffs.

Now? They’re healthy. They’re reloaded. And they’re ready to reclaim their spot atop the NL East.

This is a team built to win. Not just in the regular season, but deep into October.

A Supercharged Lineup Ready to Bounce Back

The Braves’ offense was electric in 2023, scoring 947 runs, but in 2024, they plummeted to 704—a 243-run drop, the steepest decline in all of baseball. Injuries played a role, but regression across the board was the real story.

Projected Lineup:

1. Jurickson Profar, LF
2. Austin Riley, 3B
3. Matt Olson, 1B
4. Marcell Ozuna, DH
5. Ozzie Albies, 2B
6. Michael Harris II, CF
7. Drake Baldwin, C
8. Jarred Kelenic, RF
9. Orlando Arcia, SS

🔻 Matt Olson: From 54 home runs down to 29
🔻 Austin Riley: From 37 home runs to 19
🔻 Ozzie Albies: From 33 home runs to 10 (225 fewer plate appearances)
🔻 Sean Murphy: From a 130 wRC+ down to 78

The only player who improved? Marcell Ozuna, who went from 40 home runs to 39 but raised his batting average and slugging percentage.

What happened?

Some of it was bad luck. Some of it was injuries. And some of it was opposing pitchers adjusting. But the Braves aren’t banking on another downturn.

Key Factors for an Offensive Rebound in 2025:
✅ Ronald Acuña Jr. returns – A full-strength Acuña is a game-changer
✅ Austin Riley’s power numbers should bounce back – His hard-hit rate and barrel rate were still elite
✅ Healthier seasons from Ozzie Albies & Michael Harris II – Both missed significant time
✅ Spencer Strider’s return strengthens the rotation – Taking pressure off the offense

If even half of these bounce-back scenarios hit, Atlanta is a 100-win team again.

Ronald Acuña Jr's 2023 single season ranks among all Braves players since 1947 :

PA – 1st
R – 1st
H – 3rd
TB – 2nd
SB – 1st
BA – 4th
OPS+ – 9th
XBH – 7th
Runs Created – 1st

Such a special player. So glad we get to see him back in 2025! 👑pic.twitter.com/Qm187e1TSQ

— Ben Weaver (@weaver_cards) February 27, 2025

A Rotation That Could Dominate

Chris Sale was a revelation in 2024, winning his first Cy Young Award after years of injury setbacks. Spencer Schwellenbach emerged as a rising star. And now, Spencer Strider is set to return by May.

Imagine an NL East contender suddenly adding a Cy Young-caliber pitcher and an MVP outfielder before Memorial Day. That’s what the Braves are banking on.

Projected Rotation:
1️⃣ Chris Sale – Can he handle another full workload?
2️⃣ Spencer Strider – Expected back early in the season
3️⃣ Reynaldo López – Breakout year in 2024, but is he reliable?
4️⃣ Spencer Schwellenbach – One of the best young arms in baseball
5️⃣ Ian Anderson/AJ Smith-Shawver/Hurston Waldrep – Competition for the final spot

This rotation is good, but there are health concerns. Sale threw more innings in 2024 than in the previous four seasons combined. Lopez was a full-time starter for the first time since 2019.

If Strider’s return is delayed, or if Sale regresses, the Braves might need another arm at the deadline.\

Chris Sale, 95mph 🧀 at the knees. pic.twitter.com/yu7SpdDq5z

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 4, 2025

A Bullpen Built for October

The Braves’ bullpen was elite in 2024, ranking:
🔥 2nd in fWAR
🔥 3rd in ERA
🔥 2nd in FIP

And they return nearly every key piece.

In a season full of questions, one thing is certain: If Atlanta has a lead late, they’re likely keeping it.

Can the Braves Return to the Top of the NL East?

The Braves averaged 94.8 wins per season from 2018-2023. They fell short in 2024, but this team hasn’t gone anywhere.

Yes, Juan Soto is now a Met. Yes, Jesús Luzardo makes the Phillies more dangerous. But if Atlanta stays healthy, they’re still the team to beat in the division.

Can they make it back to the World Series?

If the lineup returns to form and the pitching staff stays intact, the answer is absolutely yes.

The Braves’ championship window is still wide open.