After their five-run lead collapsed on Wednesday, the Atlanta Braves angrily walked their heads off. Shohei Ohtani‘s bobblehead night ended in storybook fashion, with a walk-off home run to center. The Braves scored five runs in the first two innings, aided by errors; Nick Allen‘s double in the first, slated with Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson‘s two bags in the second, boosted the Braves to a 5–0 lead. However, the Los Angeles Dodgers cut into the lead one by one. A two-run home run by Tommy Edman, a solo shot by Michael Conforto, and a two-RBI double by Max Muncy tied the game. Ohtani ended the game at the bottom of the ninth, as stated earlier.
The Worst Start In Franchise History
The Braves have had lofty expectations regarding the postseason and World Series for the last couple of seasons. In 2021, the team started 0–4 and went on to win the World Series. The worst start in Braves history is the Braves 0–10 start in 1988. The team went on to lose 106 games that season.
Given the expectations, however, this season is arguably the worst start in franchise history. A team with World Series aspirations losing its’ grip early is nothing uncommon. It could be a long season with the expectations and current controversies regarding the team.
Losing your star free agent signing, Jurickson Profar, due to a suspension for steroid use is a detrimental start to the season. After signing a three-year, 42 million-dollar deal, the left fielder is now out for 80 games. If the Braves make the postseason, he is ineligible to play. With a career-year after many years of mediocrity, many pundits and fans question if the PEDs contribute to his success.
Reynaldo Lopez is now out for a few months due to arthroscopic surgery, a key piece to the rotation. It is a question if he will pitch again next season. For the current outlook, a consistent performer goes down once again. Like 2024, key contributors fall out of the picture for the NL East hopefuls.
History Is Not So Kind
The Atlanta Braves are 0–7. Twenty-eight teams in major league history have started the season 0–7. Only two of those 28 ended up with winning seasons. None of them made the playoffs.
That’s not the ideal information you want to hear if you are a Braves fan. With the ball seeming to be the size of a needle and the pitching going on rollercoasters, many are already closing the book.
Ronald Acuña Jr. is still projected to be out for another month and a change. Spencer Strider is still rehabbing his UCL injury. Sean Murphy will return, but can he pick his play up after a struggling season?
The Braves starting lineup is hitting .200 or below. Nick Allen is hitting .364 and could earn himself an everyday starter at shortstop. Other than his impressive start, it is a sunken valley for the bats, besides Wednesday’s loss against the Dodgers.
MY SHORTSTOP pic.twitter.com/tfnuUxMDCr
— Luz (@luzthegoosey) April 3, 2025
History Can Be Broken
As stated earlier, no team starting 0–7 has made the playoffs. With the expanded playoffs, an extra spot is up for grabs in both leagues. You never know what can happen if a good streak is made. Creating havoc and going on streaks is what baseball is all about. The 2021 Braves were the worst playoff team that season and went on to win the Fall Classic.
Last season created fantastic comeback stories, even if you want to take the personal Braves stories out of it. The New York Mets started 0–5. Gary Cohen called it “rock bottom.” Even through May, the Mets were one of the worst teams in the National League. Then, the bats came a light. The “OMG” movement came alive, the bats were electric, and the Mets rode their fire to the NLCS.
“Nobody in the ballpark. 0-5. Hitless through 7. It feels like rock bottom.” – Gary Cohen on the state of the Mets.
A reminder that this is game 6 of 162. The Mets still have 156 games left to play, and boy, are things getting late early in Flushing… pic.twitter.com/zYPjye0PGX
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 4, 2024
The Detroit Tigers 2024 run also came through in one of the most unlikely chances of making the playoffs. According to Fangraphs, the Tigers had a 0.2% chance to make the postseason. Then, one of the hottest runs closed out the season, leading the AL Central hopefuls into the playoffs and knocking off the AL West winner Houston Astros. They were one of the favorites to win the AL, let alone the World Series. The steaming hot Tigers swept the Astros in the Wild Card and fell to the Cleveland Guardians in Game Five of the ALDS.
Can The Hope Be Restored?
Through a tough start of the season, it feels like the season is already over for the Braves. History is knocking against their chances, their hearts are torn, and issues of 2024 seem to be burning brighter. Play-by-play commentator Brandon Gaudin described Shohei Ohtani’s walk-off home run and the Braves season in one sentence.
“And the heartache has hit a new level for the Atlanta Braves.” ~Brandon Gaudin ………..indeed it has pic.twitter.com/QRmMWvkWDV
— Jim Gardner (@Jimgardner706) April 3, 2025
“The heartache has hit a new level for the Atlanta Braves.” For many, it has, but the possibility for the Braves can still be high. Two tough series against NL West strongholds on the road can hit these bumps. Now, with a day off and returning home, the jolt of a home crowd can help the players. Facing an NL East opponent always brings good noise to the crowds. Facing Max Meyer and Cal Quantrill isn’t the top of the mountain. It could lead to a bounce back if the bats find their rhythm on Friday and Saturday.
Braves fans, pundits, and everyone in between take a deep breath; 155 games left in the season.
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