The Atlanta Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks square off at Chase Field on April 25, 2025, in the opening game of a three-game National League series where both teams look to shift momentum during a pivotal stretch of the early season. The Braves enter at 10–14, a surprising underwhelming start for a team that entered the season with high expectations and one of the most potent lineups in baseball, but inconsistent pitching and road struggles have weighed heavily on their performance. They’ll send veteran left-hander Chris Sale to the mound in Game 1, who has yet to recapture his former dominance, posting an 0–2 record with a 6.17 ERA across his first few outings. Sale’s command has been spotty, and opposing batters have done damage when he falls behind in counts—something that’s become a troubling trend for a Braves team that ranks near the bottom of the league in starter ERA. Opposing Sale will be Arizona’s Zac Gallen, the ace of their staff who’s also had a bumpy start to 2025 with a 1–3 record and a 5.60 ERA. Both starters enter needing a reset, and given the offensive potential on both sides, this opener may lean heavily on which bullpen can execute cleaner in the later innings. Arizona has started the season with more consistency and sits at 14–11, buoyed by strong offensive play and competent defense despite the turbulence in the starting rotation. Eugenio Suárez has driven in a team-leading 17 runs, providing clutch hits and veteran leadership in the middle of the order, while Ketel Marte continues to add balance and power from both sides of the plate, already with four home runs on the season.

The Diamondbacks’ home field advantage has played a role in their positive momentum, with a 7–6 ATS record at Chase Field showing that they’ve been able to hang in and close out tight games on their own turf. Defensively, they’ve been solid, with few unforced errors, which has helped absorb the impact of short outings from starters like Gallen. If Arizona can get a quality start from Gallen or simply keep the Braves offense from exploding in the early innings, they’ll have a great shot at controlling the pace of the game and pressuring Atlanta into bullpen overuse. Their lineup doesn’t rely solely on home runs—they excel at putting balls in play, taking extra bases, and executing in situational at-bats, giving them an edge against a Braves team struggling to hold leads late. For Atlanta, this game represents more than just another chance to notch a win—it’s a test of resilience for a roster that hasn’t found cohesion in the opening month. The offense, headlined by Austin Riley and Marcell Ozuna, has shown signs of life, with Riley belting five home runs and Ozuna maintaining a .280 average, but the production hasn’t translated to wins because of how often they’ve played from behind. The Braves are just 2–11 ATS in their last 13 road games, which paints a clear picture of a team that has been outplayed late and has failed to convert early scoring into full-game control. For Sale, this start is critical—not only for the Braves to win, but to show that he can be a stabilizing piece in a rotation that desperately needs innings. If the Braves can give him early run support and avoid the defensive breakdowns that have led to costly innings, they can finally break the cycle that has plagued them through April. A win in Game 1 would not only take the pressure off the rest of the rotation but offer a much-needed psychological lift for a team that’s playing well below its capability.