From Cold Start to Road Spark: Braves Trending Up
- Gavin James
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Bats are hot, pitching is sharp, and Atlanta is starting to find its identity
For the first time all season, the Atlanta Braves are starting to feel like… well, the Atlanta Braves.
After a frustratingly inconsistent start, the Braves put together their best stretch of the year on a six-game road trip through the desert and the mountains, grabbing two series wins over the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. Atlanta went 4-2 over the week, showing flashes of what this team can be when the offense is clicking and the pitching holds steady.
Now sitting at 14-16 overall, the Braves still have work to do — they trail the first-place New York Mets by 6.5 games in the NL East and are looking up at the Phillies, who are 3.5 games back themselves. But for the first time this year, there's a sense of real momentum brewing in the Atlanta clubhouse.
Braves Offense Wakes Up
Let’s start with the bats — because for the better part of April, they were quiet. But on this road trip, the lineup came alive in a big way.
One of the brightest stars during this stretch was Alex Verdugo, who has been absolutely raking since joining Atlanta. He was a spark plug out west, hitting a blistering .409 with two doubles and four RBIs. Whether he’s setting the tone at the top of the lineup or delivering in big moments, Verdugo looks like a perfect fit in a Braves uniform.
Right behind him, Nick Allen is making his case as the everyday shortstop. He’s been rock solid in the field and just as dependable at the plate, batting .381 on the trip with a double and five RBIs. Allen is settling in nicely — and his emergence adds stability to a key position that had plenty of questions earlier in the season.
Sean Murphy (.353, 2 doubles, HR, 2 RBIs) and Michael Harris II (.346, 3 doubles, eight RBIs) also contributed in a big way, giving Atlanta one of the most productive lineups in baseball over the last week. Harris in particular seems to have flipped a switch, driving the ball with authority and reminding everyone just how dynamic he can be when he’s locked in.
And then there’s Eli White — the guy who might have turned the most heads lately as a whole. White has caught fire recently and has since stepped into a bigger role, slugging .375 with four doubles, a triple, two homers, and seven RBIs, in just 45 at bats. It has felt like every time the Braves have needed a jolt, White's delivered — whether it was with a timely hit or a hustle play that fired up the dugout.
Even with the bats having an "off day" in yesterday's game in Colorado, all signs are trending up for the Atlanta Braves on the offensive side of the ball.
Quiet Confidence on the Mound
While the bats stole the headlines, the pitching did its job — and then some.
Chris Sale continues to lead the way with veteran presence and poise, even with a great outing that wasn’t backed up by the Braves offense. He’s been consistently trending upward, competitive, and exactly what Atlanta needs at the top of the rotation. Behind him, Spencer Schwellenbach turned in an encouraging start, flashing potential and giving the team valuable innings. AJ Smith-Shawver also made a start on the trip and showed enough to keep Braves fans optimistic about the future of this young rotation.
The bullpen — which has had its shaky moments early on — looked sharp and composed throughout the trip. With tighter control and better command, the relievers helped lock down key wins and maintain momentum.
A Crucial Braves Homestand Ahead
The good news? The Braves are back above water and trending in the right direction.
The challenge? Things aren’t getting any easier.
Atlanta returns to Truist Park for a tough homestand that begins with the Los Angeles Dodgers — one of the top teams in the National League and the reigning World Series Champions — followed by the always-scrappy Cincinnati Reds. Manager Brian Snitker spoke on that yesterday, saying, "You know, we have a rough week ahead of us, I know that. We have two good teams coming into Atlanta, but it's always good to get home. I mean, we play well in our park." These games will serve as an early-season gut check, but also an opportunity to make a real statement. Expect there to be a loud and ready crowd this weekend as the Dodgers come to town. "I mean, our fans are huge, our guys like playing there. There's a lot of energy in that place, so we've had a lot of success there over the years. So I think it's always good to get home," said Snitker.
With the offense red-hot and the pitching staff beginning to settle in, the Braves have a chance to build on this strong road trip and keep climbing the NL East standings. It won’t happen overnight, but for a team that’s been searching for rhythm, this past week might just be the turning point.
There’s a different feel around this team now with a little more swagger, and also a little more confidence. And if this version of the Braves shows up at home?
Watch out.
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