Austin Riley leads Braves comeback after seven game losing streak

The Atlanta Braves began the 2025 season facing one of the most difficult gauntlets in baseball seven consecutive road games against two behemoth teams. Four games against the Padres and three against the Dodgers made the Braves' entrance into the new year anything but gentle. The result? Seven consecutive losses. But now, finally, things are turning around as they fight back to a .500 mark and get set for a better push.Atlanta manager Brian Snitker didn't sugarcoat it; the team got "beat up pretty good" on their initial swing out to California. The Braves went up against the defending champion Dodgers and loaded-up Padres, putting together only one lead in seven games. It was a grounding introduction that might've sidetracked their season. Yet third baseman Austin Riley says the team remained calm and kept grinding.He said bad stretches are a part of every long baseball season. This one just so happened to hit at the very start, so it appeared worse than it was. Now the Braves are back at 22-22 after taking three of four from the Nationals.While the offense has suffered averaging a little less than four runs per contest the pitching has been consistent. The team ERA is 11th in the league, and young right-hander AJ Smith-Shawyer has been the bright spot. The 22-year-old rookie is 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA in his last four starts and may be headed toward Rookie of the Year conversations.Veteran Chris Sale is not yet hitting his stride but has managed to keep games close. With some run support, his record can easily be reversed.Atlanta is getting some much-needed help coming its way. Star pitcher Spencer Strider and MVP outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. are both likely to come back from injury soon.Two years back, Spencer Strider won 20 games and has dealt with a hamstring issue after returning from elbow surgery. Acuna is coming off a torn knee ligament but is already on a rehab stint in Triple-A.Brian Snitker says getting those two back is like “making two big trades.” Their return could push the Braves over the hump and back into the playoff race.At the moment in third spot in the NL East, Atlanta is six games behind the Mets. With their lineup rounding into form and the team finally appearing to be displaying some life, however, they're certainly not dead yet.Also Read: Ronald Acuna Jr. apologizes to Braves manager Brian Snitker and teammates for controversy over a social media post