Takeaways From the Braves' First 10 Games

On Opening Day Sale pitched just five innings and allowed three runs. He’s allowed three or more runs in every game he’s pitched so far this season giving him an ERA of 6.75. A pitcher sets the tone for the entire game, and Sale may not be that pitcher for the Braves anymore.

Jurickson Profar was a problem not a solution:

It was obvious in the 2024 season that the Braves would have to be strategic when filling their star power hitter Ronald Acuña Jr. 's shoes in the 2025 season until he recovered from injury. However, their solution turned out to be more of a problem. Jurickson Profar was acquired from the Pirates during the off-season and looked like he would be a perfect fit for the Braves’ leadoff spot while Acuña recovers.

It only took four games to realize that Profar was not at all the Braves’ saving grace. He struggled in the leadoff spot. In his most recent game with Atlanta on March 30 Profar failed to produce a hit for the Braves. Shortly after it was revealed that he would be suspended from play for 80 games due to the use of prohibited substances. A tragic disappointment for the right-fielder but the Braves seem to be doing alright without him.

Where is the money going?:

One of fans’ biggest complaints in this loss filled beginning of their regular season is the money. Atlanta Braves Holdings announced they purchased an office building and fans were furious. The team was without wins, full of injured players and a struggling bullpen, but oh thank goodness for money spent on extra parking and big buildings.

After Jurikson Profar’s disappointing start to the season it is a worry that the Braves’ $42 million dollar gamble on him was a bad one. Fans want new players that’s been made very clear but this purchase was not an ideal one.

More money and resources were spent in the middle of the Braves’ second win of the season when they acquired pitcher Rafael Montero from the Astros. It is still unknown who the Astros traded him for but it was clear that the Braves realized that moving players they already had between their major league bullpen and their farm system was not working. The only solution to the pitching problem while they wait for Spencer Strider and Reynaldo López to recover is to find talent elsewhere.

Sean Murphy Magic:

After a rib injury suffered during Grapefruit League play, 2023 All-Star catcher Sean Murphy was quickly replaced by top prospect Drake Baldwin. Though Baldwin filled Murphy’s shoes the best he could, fans were unsure of what would happen to him after Murphy finally was able to return to play.

Murphy’s return to the game was out of a storybook. His first game back this season was against the Braves’ NL foe the Phillies and he played like he never left. With two hits and one game changing home run Murphy took control offensively which is exactly what the Braves have been needing. 

If there was a doubt that Murphy would be able to return at his best even with Baldwin on the roster, he’s made sure to squash it with just one game. Sean Murphy is back and here to save the Braves on the offensive side of the ball.