Atlanta Shows Offensive Pulse in Much-Needed Series Victory

Apr 19, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (23) hits a home run against the Minnesota Twins in the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Coming into this weekend's series, the Atlanta Braves’ struggles at the plate were well-documented and heavily discussed. Whether it was the high number of strikeouts, frequent missed opportunities with runners in scoring position, or simply leaving too many men on base, the offense was flat. Searching for answers, the Braves made a pivotal move ahead of the series by recalling Alex Verdugo from Triple-A Gwinnett and optioning Bryan De La Cruz.

Not only was Verdugo added to the big-league roster, which was inevitable, but he was immediately inserted into the leadoff spot right away. It was a bold decision and one that showed the Braves were ready to shake things up. Michael Harris II had been holding down the leadoff role but had struggled mightily leading into the series. He came in batting just .179 with a .208 on-base percentage and was 0-for-15 over the four games prior to facing Minnesota. At a time when the Braves were desperate for production at the top of the order, a change was necessary.

Verdugo answered the call. Over the three-game set, he went 5-for-14 with a pair of doubles and set the tone for the offense. His ability to get on base and provide quality at-bats was exactly what Atlanta needed. His presence at the top helped reset the tone for a lineup that had been flailing.

To Harris’s credit, the pressure of being bumped down in the order may have helped him reset as well. He responded by going 4-for-12 in the series, including a home run on Saturday night. Even if he isn’t leading off right now, Harris finding his swing again would be huge for Atlanta moving forward.

This past weekend, the Braves simply looked better offensively. Yes, it was against the Minnesota Twins, a team that has had its own share of struggles. That is something good teams take advantage of though. They find a way to handle business when the opportunity is there. The Braves needed to win this series, and they did exactly that.

One of the most glaring issues plaguing the Braves early this season was their inability to hit with runners in scoring position. Entering the weekend, Atlanta was hitting just over 18 percent in those situations, a number far below expectations for a team with World Series aspirations. That trend finally shifted. The Braves went 9-for-19 in the series with runners in scoring position, raising their season average in that department to 21.9 percent. It may not seem like a huge jump, but those few extra hits can be the difference between a win and a loss in close games.

Now, with some momentum built, the Braves turn their attention to the St. Louis Cardinals. Much like the Twins, the Cardinals are a team that has struggled early in the year, coming in with a (9-13) record. This upcoming series presents another opportunity for Atlanta to continue gaining ground and piecing together their identity.

The biggest takeaway from this weekend? The Braves finally made a move that had an immediate impact. Alex Verdugo gave the offense a shot of life. The lineup showed signs of clicking again, and there’s reason for optimism as the team moves into the next series.

In a long season, one spark can lead to a streak. This weekend may have been the start of that.