While we didn't know the Atlanta Braves would look this rough to start the season, we did at least know that the early portion of their schedule was going to be brutal. Starting the 2025 season with a west coast trip against the Padres and Dodgers, two of the best teams in baseball, was not ideal and most of the rest of their schedule has been teams that will be competing for playoff spots in 2025. However, their upcoming series against the Twins could be a welcome reprieve.
The Braves have played a lot of road games thus far and with a 2-11 road record, that has clearly been a stumbling block especially against quality competition that all seem to play well at home. Atlanta performance at home has been significantly better albeit with a very small sample at 3-2.
With Minnesota coming to town this weekend, the Braves not only get to play at home again where they have looked a lot more comfortable, but they also get to play against a Twins team that isn't exactly lighting the world on fire.
Braves finally get a reprieve with Twins coming to Truist Park
At 7-12, the Twins represent the worst team the Braves have played this year (yes, worse than the Marlins). Their pitching has been pretty middle of the road with their starters being pretty vulnerable, but their offense has been arguably worse than Atlanta's which is certainly saying something. Minnesota has a couple of guys that can beat you, but do not look dangerous on paper overall.
This is Atlanta's chance to change the narrative surrounding their season. Running Bryce Elder out for the first game doesn't feel ideal, but he has generally been a guy that knows how to beat bad offensive teams in his career at least. Chris Sale then goes Saturday as he looks to turn his season around and then Grant Holmes, who has been surprisingly good, gets the mound on Sunday.
With the Twins running out Chris Paddack and Simeon Woods-Richardson who have both struggled to start their season before having to deal with Joe Ryan, you will struggle to find an opportunity as rich for Atlanta to shine than this weekend. If the Braves can handle business at home, all of the panic around the team should settle down.
However, if Atlanta loses this series and doesn't at least show signs of life again, the 2025 season could be a very long one.