Braves record on Homestand : 3-2 (Split 1-1 with Miami Marlins, won two of three against Philadelphia Phillies.)
The 2025 season has not gotten off to the start that Atlanta Braves fans anticipated, but the first homestand of the season gave Braves faithful a glimpse into what this team is capable of accomplishing as the season progresses.
After starting 0-7 on the road, Atlanta broke through in emphatic fashion against the Miami Marlins. The Braves offense erupted for 10 runs on 16 hits, their largest output of the season so far. Centerfielder Michael Harris and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna had three hits apiece, while Ozuna and first basemen Matt Olson both knocked in three RBI. Starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach aka “the OTHER Spencer” was dominant in his home debut, throwing eight innings of two hit baseball while striking out 10 Marlins.
Unfortunately, Atlanta was unable to ride the momentum from their opening victory to secure their first series win of the season, as a 4-0 loss on Saturday combined with a rainout of the series finale meant that a series split would be the best outcome (for now). The third and final game of this series will be made up later. Rainout aside, Atlanta still had something to be happy about after the weekend, as the return of their All-Star catcher Sean Murphy was officially scheduled for their clash with division rival Philadelphia.
The return of their All-Star backstop helped spark their struggling offense, as Sean would homer and drive in four runs in his return and the Braves went on to defeat Cy Young contender Zach Wheeler 7-5, a game that saw them score 4 runs after the 6th inning . After three home games, the Braves offense finally began to resemble the offense they had grown accustomed to putting on the field every game the past two seasons.
Reigning National League Cy Young winner Chris Sale pulled no punches when asked about the impact of Murphy’s return. “Unbelievable,” said Sale “Big three-run homerun, another big hit later in the game. It just sort of seemed like the game gravitated toward him today, so having a guy like that come back around is key for us. He was a big part of our success last year, specifically my success. A Gold Glove, All Star caliber catcher? I mean anyone would gladly take that back on their team for sure.”
Manager Brian Snitker echoed Sale’s sentiment when asked about his catcher. “Some really good at-bats, he fouled some balls off, just the whole at bats, his posture.. it’s good to get a veteran guy back.”
As for Sale, he hasn’t looked like himself yet over his first few starts, and the 14-year veteran is aware of it. “I just have to find the groove; it has not clicked yet. It’s not all put together, which is frustrating because I felt like I was there in spring training. I felt like I had a really good spring training other than one wonky start but everything else kind of felt in sync and then once the season started things got off the rails.
Game two of their three game set with the Phillies once again knocked the wind out of Atlanta’s sails, as late inning homers by Bryce Harper and Trae Turner lead to a 4-3 victory for Philadelphia. After yet again splitting the first two games of the series, Atlanta went into the rubber match looking to capture a series win before the weather made that impossible. Fortunately for the Braves, league officials had a long leash with the rain delay this time.
With the final game of the series tied 1-1, the teams sat through a 2-hour and 45-minute rain delay that forced the game into the midnight hour. Philadelphia would eventually take a 2-1 lead in the 11th inning, but the Braves weren’t done fighting. A double by Austin Riley scored Ozzie Albies to tie the game and Marcell Ozuna did the rest of the heavy lifting, sending a two-run homer into the left field bleachers to end the game at 12:53am.
It wasn’t pretty, but the win gave Atlanta a winning record on the homestand and their first series victory of the season. The Braves kick off their next homestand (six games) at Truist Park this Friday when the Minnesota Twins come to town.
