Braves Seek First Win of Season in Home Opener Against Marlins

ATLANTA, Ga. — The Atlanta Braves are returning home on April 4, 2025, after a dismal 0-7 road trip, eager to secure their first win of the season against the Miami Marlins in their home opener at Truist Park.

During a challenging stretch, the Braves struggled enormously, yet one bright spot emerged from Spencer Schwellenbach, who delivered six shutout innings against the San Diego Padres last Saturday. His performance highlighted his potential as a reliable asset during a tough season for the Braves.

“He deserved better support from the lineup,” said one team member, who asked to remain unnamed. “We should be able to rally behind him with better offense.” Schwellenbach’s rookie season featured only one matchup against the Marlins, where he pitched seven innings without allowing any walks, although he did surrender two home runs.

The Braves will benefit from the fact that two of Schwellenbach’s previous opponents from last season, Jonah Bride and Jake Burger, have fluctuated in their recent performances. Burger now plays for the Texas Rangers, meanwhile, Bride’s current wRC+ stands at just three through 28 plate appearances this season.

The Marlins have started the season at a lackluster offensive pace, yet the Braves would see even a mediocre batting average as a positive right now. To transition from their current struggles to a more average performance, they will have to overcome Marlins’ pitcher Max Meyer, who is entering the game after a commendable outing in which he struck out seven batters and permitted only one walk.

Meyer, a former standout prospect, employs a variety of pitches but leans heavily on his slider while primarily inducing ground balls for outs, which could pose a challenge for the Braves.

The last encounters between the Braves and Meyer offered mixed results. Last April, Meyer struck out seven and allowed just one run in a 5-1 win for the Marlins. However, in August, the Braves managed to harness their offensive power against him, hitting three home runs en route to a 4-2 victory.

“The key today is making the right adjustments against similar pitching styles,” said a Braves coach, who also wished to remain anonymous. “If we can connect early, we’ll put ourselves in a better position to win.”

While the recent postseason expansion offers some leeway, the Braves are clearly keen to change their fortunes before the season slips away. This home game presents a critical opportunity, and the fanbase, yearning for reasons to cheer, is hopeful for a strong showing.

“It’s 404 Day! We simply can’t lose today,” exclaimed a long-time fan prior to the game. “This team needs something to rally around.”

The game begins at 7:15 p.m. EDT at Truist Park, and fans can tune in through FanDuel Sports South/Southeast or stream the action via MLB.tv.