The Atlanta Braves completed yet another series win on Sunday to earn a much-needed off day. The team has a winning record for only the second time this season and appears to have turned a corner. It is the perfect time to begin to get hot with the pending returns of Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. Atlanta could look to add another arm to the bullpen as well with Craig Kimbrel continuing to ramp up in Gwinnett.
It is going to take more than this, however, with notable Atlanta veterans failing to live up to early expectations. It is clear who must take a step forward if this team is going to fight all the way back to force its way into the National League East.
1. Matt Olson
Olson is already doing his part to turn what was an incredibly shaky season. The first baseman was hitting .214 heading into the weekend and pushed this up to .240, collecting seven hits, including two clutch homers. This is long overdue for a player who was expected to be an offensive cornerstone. While the first baseman is going to continue to deal with irritating comparisons to Freddie Freeman, there is a nugget of truth in these overdone discussions that Olson must be better.
This series in Boston provided a glimpse of just how impactful the veteran can be when things are clicking. For Atlanta's season to turn, this version of the veteran must show up far more consistently throughout the rest of the 2025 season.
2. Ozzie Albies
When the only personal record you've set in a season is the longest consecutive at-bats without a hit, things aren't going well. While Albies has shown signs of life since this streak, there are still concerns about the second baseman's free-swinging approach that resulted in such negative early results.
Albies must return closer to career norms for this team to be the best version of itself. Already, you're giving up offense at shortstop in Nick Allen, and have concerns in the outfield. There are questions about the outfield as well as you await the return of the 2023 MVP. Atlanta needs far more consistency from Albies.
3. Raisel Iglesias
Iglesias has allowed at least one earned run in four of his last five outings. The closer is by far Atlanta's highest-paid reliever and has been one of the least reliable. While Atlanta still has bullpen question marks, the veteran was supposed to be a solidifying factor.
Instead, Iglesias has cost Atlanta games and consistently been a thorn in the team's side. If things don't change, the Braves must quickly pivot or the team is going to be in trouble.
4. Michael Harris
Harris is a career .277 hitter and is currently offering Atlanta a .222 average. The center fielder does bring immense value even in the middle of this offensive slump. The ability to find outs in center does provide a certain degree of forgiveness for the outfielder's early struggles.
Still, if this team is going to reach its full potential, Harris needs to offer a higher level of consistency at the plate.