The Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins open a three-game weekend series at Truist Park on April 18, 2025, in a matchup that, while early in the season, carries a tone of urgency for two teams that have significantly underperformed to begin the campaign. The Braves, at 5–13, have stumbled through a sluggish start that has seen them fall well below expectations, particularly in the pitching department where injuries and inconsistency have plagued the rotation. They’ll hand the ball to right-hander Bryce Elder, who is 0–1 with a 7.20 ERA and has struggled to get into a rhythm after showing flashes of promise last season. Elder has had trouble with command and has been vulnerable to the long ball, making him a question mark against a Twins lineup capable of punishing mistakes if given the chance. The Twins, who enter with a 7–12 record, aren’t faring much better and will send Chris Paddack to the mound, another right-hander who has been even shakier, posting an 0–2 record with a 9.49 ERA. Paddack’s early-season woes stem from a lack of location and difficulty navigating the middle of lineups, particularly when facing pressure with runners on base. Both pitchers will face lineups capable of scoring in bunches, meaning this matchup could quickly evolve into a bullpen battle if either starter falters early. Offensively, both clubs boast talent that has yet to consistently deliver on paper. Atlanta’s core of Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley is one of the most feared trios in baseball when firing on all cylinders, but a combination of cold streaks and scattered run support has kept the Braves from stringing together wins. Acuña remains the sparkplug, with elite speed, bat-to-ball skills, and defensive range, but the Braves desperately need Olson to rediscover his power stroke and for Riley to break out of his early-season slump.

If the Braves can get traffic on the basepaths early against Paddack, expect manager Brian Snitker to push the envelope with hit-and-run tactics or aggressive base-stealing to jumpstart the offense. The Twins are similarly constructed around high-upside bats like Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton, who provide middle-of-the-order thump and athleticism but have struggled to stay hot at the same time. Minnesota’s offense has often sputtered in critical spots, with multiple games featuring missed chances with runners in scoring position and a lack of sustained rallies. Both clubs will be looking at this game as a turning point—an opportunity to shake off early rust and regain footing in their respective division races. Historically, the Braves have held the edge in head-to-head matchups, covering the run line in six of their last seven meetings against Minnesota, and the over has hit in five of those games—suggesting a high-scoring affair could be in store once again. With both teams sending struggling starters to the hill and both lineups overdue for breakout performances, Friday’s game could come down to which bullpen can steady the ship and which offense capitalizes first. Neither team can afford to let winnable games like this slip away, especially with playoff races expected to tighten quickly by summer. While it’s still April, the stakes are higher than the records suggest, and both clubs know that the road back to contention starts with taking advantage of vulnerable opponents. Whether it’s a late-inning surge or a starter finally finding their groove, Friday’s matchup has all the ingredients for a momentum-shifting outcome.