The struggling Braves face the Rangers on July 26, 2025, with Sale & López injured. Can Atlanta snap its losing streak amidst a deep pitching crisis?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It feels like more than just another Saturday in July. As the Braves head into Globe Life Field to face the Rangers, they carry the weight of a three-game losing streak, a 44-57 record, and a starting rotation held together by hope and duct tape. The optimism from players on social media can't mask the reality: this team is sliding, and the solutions aren't coming from within.
With Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, and AJ Smith-Shawver all on the injured list, the Braves are searching for answers on the mound and in the standings.
The source of the Braves' current woes is no secret: the starting rotation has been decimated. The loss of ace Chris Sale to fractured ribs was a blow, but it was compounded by Reynaldo López's shoulder surgery and the season-ending elbow surgery for promising rookie AJ Smith-Shawver. This rash of injuries has forced Atlanta to rely on pitchers like tonight's starter, Grant Holmes (4-9, 3.81 ERA), to eat innings against tough opponents. The results have been predictable, with the team dropping its last three and falling 14 games out of first place in the NL East.
In years past, the Braves might have weathered this storm by calling up the next man from a talent-rich farm system. That is not the reality of 2025. The system, long criticized for its lack of depth, is now under a harsh spotlight. Aside from catcher Drake Baldwin, no reinforcements have made a significant impact. Top pitching prospect Hurston Waldrep, who struggled mightily in a brief MLB stint (13 ER in 7 IP), is back in Triple-A Gwinnett working on command. This failure to produce MLB-ready arms has turned a serious injury problem into a full-blown organizational crisis.
Tonight's game against the Rangers and starter Kumar Rocker is a crucial test. While players like Matt Olson preach focus and Austin Riley continues his hot streak, the offense will need to be nearly perfect to support a patchwork pitching staff. The clubhouse may remain publicly upbeat, but the pressure is mounting. A win tonight would do more than just snap a losing streak; it would provide a desperately needed breath of fresh air for a team that feels like it's sinking.
Looming over everything is the trade deadline. With no internal solutions apparent, all eyes are on President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos. So far, the front office has been silent, but that can't last. The Braves are at a critical decision point: Are they buyers, hoping to salvage the season with a bold move for pitching? Or do they become sellers, conceding that this isn't their year? The next few days will determine the direction of the franchise for the remainder of 2025.
Tonight's matchup against the Rangers offers a chance for a temporary reprieve, a single win to stop the bleeding. But the larger questions remain unanswered. Can this team's core, led by Olson and Riley, carry an impossible load? And more importantly, will Alex Anthopoulos make the move that fans are desperately waiting for? The clock is ticking, and the future of the Braves' season hangs in the balance.
