Braves Look to Bounce Back Against Struggling Nationals

ATLANTA, GA — The Atlanta Braves return to Truist Park on May 12, 2025, after a disappointing trip to Pittsburgh, where they lost two out of three games to the Pirates. Seeking to break a recent slump, the Braves face the Washington Nationals, who come into this series having lost five straight games.

This matchup marks the first of seven games between these divisional rivals in the next two weeks. After a tough stretch, Atlanta hopes to regain its momentum against a National team that has struggled offensively, currently hitting .240 as a team.

The Braves’ lineup has also faced challenges this season, sporting a team batting average of .237. Both teams seem locked in an offensive struggle, with Atlanta’s key players, including Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies, underperforming in recent games. Albies particularly fell flat during the Pirates series, going 0-for-5 in the final game.

Pitchers Grant Holmes and Jake Irvin will start on the mound for their respective teams. Holmes has had a rocky season with a 4.58 ERA but is seen as a wild card for the Braves. Conversely, Irvin has proven to be a formidable opponent for Atlanta in the past, defeating them multiple times in 2024.

The Braves are optimistic as they prepare for this series at home, hoping to capitalize on the Nationals’ current struggles. Atlanta manager hopes his players will seize this opportunity to push back towards the .500 mark this season.

The game kicks off at 7:15 PM EDT at Truist Park, with fans eager to see if the Braves can snap their losing streak against a Nationals team that may be ripe for the taking.