The Braves fall 5-1 to the Angels on July 4, 2025, as Bryce Elder struggles. Despite Matt Olson's streak, Atlanta's pitching rotation crisis deepens.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
While fireworks are set to light up the sky, the Atlanta Braves provided anything but on Thursday night, falling 5-1 to the Los Angeles Angels in a game that felt less like a single loss and more like a symptom of a much larger problem. The defeat highlighted the team's most pressing crisis: a starting rotation that is being held together by duct tape and prayers, forcing manager Brian Snitker to consider desperate measures.
Matt Olson extended his on-base streak to 33 games, the longest active streak in Major League Baseball.
The box score tells a simple story of a game that was never really in doubt. Braves starter Bryce Elder, now saddled with his third consecutive loss, couldn't find his footing, surrendering 4 runs on 8 hits in just 5 innings. Meanwhile, Angels righty José Soriano was masterful, silencing the Braves' bats for 7 scoreless frames. The Angels' offense, powered by homers from Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel, did more than enough. The only spark for Atlanta came far too late—a solo shot from Jurickson Profar in the bottom of the ninth to avoid the shutout.
Elder's tough night is magnified by the catastrophic state of the pitching staff. The bad news keeps piling up, with rookie Spencer Schwellenbach the latest to fall, landing on the 15-day IL with a fractured right elbow. He joins a star-studded disabled list that includes Chris Sale (broken rib), Reynaldo López (shoulder surgery), and AJ Smith-Shawver (Tommy John surgery). With the rotation decimated, the pressure on the remaining arms is immense, and Snitker has already signaled that a bullpen game is likely on the table for the upcoming series against Baltimore, a daunting prospect against a strong opponent.
Amid the gloom, there are glimmers of hope. Jurickson Profar, activated just two days ago from his 80-game suspension, has wasted no time making an impact, launching his second home run in as many games. His return, which led to the DFA of a struggling Alex Verdugo, provides a needed jolt of versatility and power. And then there's Matt Olson. The first baseman has been a model of consistency, extending his on-base streak to a remarkable 33 games with a first-inning single. It’s the longest active streak in MLB and a testament to his elite approach at the plate, even when the team around him is scuffling.
As the Braves head into a critical weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles, the questions far outnumber the answers. Can the offense, led by Olson and the newly energized Profar, score enough to overcome the pitching deficiencies? Will a bullpen game be a viable strategy or a recipe for disaster? This July 4th weekend feels less like a celebration and more like a turning point for a team desperately trying to stay afloat.
