MLB The Show 25 Atlanta Braves vs Pirates
The action kicked off with Johan Oviedo on the mound for Pittsburgh, expected to control the pace with his solid mechanics. His WHIP entered slightly above league average, and though he aimed to stay in the windup and avoid high-pressure spots, Atlanta quickly disrupted his rhythm. After a routine flyout to start the first, the Braves made their intentions clear with a sharp liner into the outfield.
Marcell Ozuna came to the plate fresh off a home run the night before. Despite risky baserunning that saw two stolen base attempts in the same at bat, the gamble paid off. Ozuna later grounded a ball through the infield, setting the tone for the Braves' relentless approach, fighting off pitch after pitch before finding daylight.
Meanwhile, Pirates starter Spencer Schwellenbach took the mound for Atlanta and made immediate noise. A veteran familiar with tough road challenges, he demonstrated excellent command early, rolling through the bottom of the first with clean outs and no damage.
But the game exploded in the second inning.
Back-to-Back-to-Back Home Runs
Austin Riley, once scouted as a pitcher in his early baseball days, stepped in and absolutely demolished a fastball to deep center field for his eighth homer of the season. Expected to be challenged high in the zone, he instead turned on the pitch with lightning-fast reaction. It was only the beginning.
Next up, Jurickson Profar wasted no time and launched a towering drive to left field. That made it back-to-back.
Then, Ozzie Albies entered the box. Coming off a two-hit night previously, he got a pitch up in the zone and crushed it beyond right field. With that, the Braves went back-to-back-to-back, pushing the score to 3–0 in spectacular fashion. The Pittsburgh dugout showed clear concern as the Braves' confidence skyrocketed.
Upgrading lineups to mirror the Braves' explosive potential in MLB The Show 25 can turn any in-game moment into fireworks.
Defensive Brilliance and Continued Dominance
Despite the early offensive surge, Atlanta didn't let up defensively. A highlight came from catcher Drake Baldwin, who made a full-extension diving catch in center, robbing the Pirates of a sure hit and preserving the momentum on Atlanta's side. Performances like this are inspiring examples for MLB The Show 25 Players, particularly those optimizing defensive strategy in ranked play.
In the fourth inning, Albies cemented his superstar-level outing with his second home run of the game, this one deep to right field off a high-velocity pitch, another indicator of his elite pitch recognition.
By the fifth, the Braves were showcasing disciplined at-bats, extending pitch counts, keeping pressure on the Pittsburgh pitching staff, and cashing in on runners in scoring position. Ozuna remained a force, while Matt Olson struck a key extra-base hit in multiple innings.
Stolen Bases and Smart Play
Michael Harris II added speed to the showcase, swiping three stolen bases in the game. His aggressive baserunning forced the Pirates to rethink pitch selections and threw off their defensive alignment. For users in MLB The Show 25, baserunning aggression remains a key skill, and players using MLB 25 Stubs to unlock speed-based superstars should take note.
On the Pirates' side, O'Neil Cruz displayed resilience. His late-game double offered a glimmer of hope, reminding fans of his athletic upside. But the effort wasn't enough as Atlanta's bullpen took control, with Bryce Elder and Aaron Bummer shutting down late rally attempts.
Final Moments and Victory
In the eighth inning, Ozuna went deep again on the first pitch he saw, extending Atlanta's lead to 8–1. Matt Olson later added a sharp double off the wall, collecting his third hit of the day and continuing his torrid pace this season. Austin Riley also delivered a gritty at-bat, managing to produce contact under pressure.
By the ninth, Bummer took over to close things out. Cruz doubled, threatening a comeback, but two quick outs, including a key strikeout and an easy grounder, ended the night.
Why This Matters for MLB The Show 25 Players
This Atlanta vs. Pittsburgh showdown is the perfect example of why players love diving into this year's title. From big power swings to pr pitching, MLB The Show 25 captures every angle. Serious competitors in Diamond Dynasty will want to claim performance-enhancing rewards, build dream squads, and upgrade rosters using MLB 25 Stubs to get players like Albies, Riley, Olson, and Ozuna, who can change a game in just a few at-bats.
Final Score: 8–1, Braves
Atlanta has now extended their win streak to 11 games. Whether it's luck or strategic perfection, they're clearly clicking on all cylinders. Fans and MLB The Show 25 Players alike are watching closely to see how long this momentum continues.