Watching the Atlanta Braves each night find ways to continue to embarrass themselves is a theme fans have become all too familiar with. Tuesday brought a 19-4 loss in which infielder Vidal Brujan was legitimately the team's best pitcher. This isn't hyperbolic or a hot take, but legitimately what the embarrassing blowout loss produced when the infielder was the only pitcher to take the mound to give up less than two earned runs.
It continues to expose what put the Braves in this situation in the first place. Ownership and the front office chose to ignore clear bullpen needs and a lack of rotation depth. The bottom line became more important than winning, and the results speak for themselves. This includes Brujan and Luke Williams being called on to pitch because they are superior to any of your current pitching options.
This is what started the night, putting the Braves in an early hole despite scoring three runs before the Philadelphia Phillies ever stepped to the plate. Cal Quantrill has been Atlanta's desperation option due to a refusal to pay either Charlie Morton or Max Fried, who are currently contributing to playoff rosters.
Braves Cheap Approach has Cost Fans and Players the 2025 Season
Thursday's ugly loss wasn't just about one frustrating game, but the deeper problems that it symbolizes. The Braves are lost as an organization, opting only to re-sign stars when early deals can be struck at a bargain. Atlanta prefers to sit back and attempt to make money rather than truly giving the franchise a chance to make another World Series run.
Whether the blame belongs on the front office, ownership, or both is very much up for debate. No matter the answer, it is past time to point out that current leadership isn't getting the job done. Manager Brian Snitker cannot be asked to put together a winning lineup or bullpen with the options he has been given.
One ugly loss exposed the truth: the Braves are in this mess not just due to injuries, but because of a front office that prefers to save money rather than win. As difficult as it is to swallow, this is the reality of what we are seeing, why the season has played out as it has.
Atlanta is desperately searching to fill innings because a quiet 2025 offseason refused to fill any of the bullpen or depth concerns even a casual baseball fan could've pointed out. Braves fans and players can only continue to sit back and pay the price for the decision maker's negligence. Something that must change if the Braves have any hope of turning the corner heading into the 2026 season.