As we enter the final week of August, the Atlanta Braves are sadly not in a position in the standings that they would have hoped back in early spring. The 2025 season can be linked to a number of negative storylines for the lackluster on field product. However, one of the easiest things to point to is the brutal injury luck that struck the starting rotation before the All-Star break.

Because of the early hole the Braves dug themselves, overcoming SO many injuries to their rotation felt like an impossible task. It’s true the team took a nosedive in the standings once these injuries occurred, but it truthfully has never been all on the pitching staff. In fact, the numbers in August showcase how Atlanta’s has impressively remained competitive…all but one important number.

Braves’ strikeout rate in August is a good reminder in the value of swing and miss stuff

As mentioned, the current Braves rotation hasn’t been a total disaster despite the lack of star power. While they do not have many recognizable names starting games, the Braves have managed to at least remain somewhat competitive in most of their games this month.

Their success is thanks to names like Hurston Waldrep and Joey Wentz churning out quality starts; partnered with Pierce Johnson and Raisel Iglesias shutting the door in the late innings. The performance of those guys has at least brought some hope that the Braves can pitch better over the full 162 next season.

However, outside of those few guys, the rest of the pitching staff hasn’t been as crisp. In fact, the Braves own the sixth highest ERA (5.20) and FIP (4.64) in the month of August. The biggest reason? The lack of strikeouts from the entire staff.

Sadly, the Braves haven’t racked up the strikeouts in August like they were earlier in the year. Of course the absence of Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach will do that to a club. However, massive regression from Spencer Strider in his whiff rate wasn’t on fans bingo cards either. Once you look at all these factors, Atlanta’s 18% strikeout rate in August (fourth lowest in baseball) starts to make more sense.

Thankfully, Chris Sale is reportedly nearing return to help boost that number, and the strides Hurston Waldrep has made gives you hope he can continue to strike hitters out. Monitoring Atlanta’s strikeout rate is an important factor for the final month of the season as it can project which pitchers can really help the team in 2026. Swing and miss isn’t everything, but fewer chances for bad BABIP luck is never a bad thing.