The Los Angeles Dodgers continued their dominant start to the 2025 season, improving to a perfect 7-0 record with a 3-1 victory over the winless Atlanta Braves. The performance, led by a stellar pitching display from Dustin May, further solidified the Dodgers as one of the most formidable teams in Major League Baseball early on this season. The Braves, on the other hand, find themselves struggling to find their footing in the season’s opening week, remaining winless after this tough loss.
The game unfolded in front of a raucous crowd at Dodger Stadium, where fans were treated to a pitching clinic from May, who is rapidly becoming one of the premier pitchers in the league. The Braves, who were hoping to turn their season around, found themselves stifled by May’s overpowering fastball and sharp breaking pitches. This game, while just one early-season matchup, highlighted the discrepancies between the two teams thus far in the 2025 campaign.
Dustin May Shines as the Dodgers’ Ace
Dustin May, who has long been regarded as one of the Dodgers’ most promising pitchers, is fulfilling the hype in 2025. With his unique combination of velocity, movement, and control, he was the driving force behind this win, delivering a performance that left Braves hitters frustrated all night long.
May pitched a brilliant 7 2/3 innings, allowing only one run on four hits while striking out 11 Braves batters. His fastball, consistently clocked in the mid-90s, was particularly effective in keeping Atlanta off balance, while his slider and curveball were breaking late and inducing swings and misses. May’s ability to work both sides of the plate and keep hitters guessing kept the Braves from getting into any consistent rhythm at the plate.
The highlight of May’s performance came in the top of the sixth inning, when he struck out three consecutive Braves hitters with a mix of high fastballs and sweeping sliders. That sequence epitomized the dominance that the Dodgers’ ace has displayed throughout the young season. The 26-year-old right-hander has now lowered his ERA to 1.21, solidifying his place as one of the best pitchers in the National League.
May’s outing not only demonstrated his individual brilliance but also highlighted the deeper, more strategic approach that the Dodgers have taken toward pitching in 2025. With ace Clayton Kershaw in the twilight of his career, May is establishing himself as the future of the Dodgers’ rotation. His consistency on the mound and ability to step into the role of stopper in tight games has made him the clear leader of the pitching staff, and this performance was just another reminder of his potential.
The Dodgers’ Offensive Contributions
While Dustin May was undoubtedly the star of the game, the Dodgers’ offense did just enough to secure the win. Against Braves starter Max Fried, who has struggled in the early part of the season, the Dodgers were able to muster three runs on seven hits. Though it wasn’t a blowout by any means, it was more than enough given the dominant performance from May on the mound.
The Dodgers took the lead in the third inning, with Freddie Freeman, who has continued his red-hot start to the season, delivering an RBI double that scored Mookie Betts from first base. Freeman, who has been one of the best hitters in baseball so far this year, continued his impressive performance with a multi-hit game, raising his batting average to .370. His ability to come through in clutch moments has been one of the key driving forces behind the Dodgers’ early success.
In the fourth inning, it was the bat of Chris Taylor that gave the Dodgers an extra cushion. Taylor launched a solo home run to left field off Fried, extending the lead to 2-0. Taylor, who has shown flashes of power throughout his career, has been a valuable contributor as part of the Dodgers’ versatile lineup. His timely power is especially important as the team navigates through injuries and rest days for some of their older players.
The Dodgers added a third run in the seventh inning thanks to a sacrifice fly from Will Smith, which brought in Max Muncy, who had reached base on a walk. While the offense wasn’t explosive, it was opportunistic, taking advantage of Fried’s mistakes and generating just enough offense to allow May to control the game.
The Braves’ Struggles Continue
On the flip side, the Braves have had a disappointing start to their season, with this loss dropping them to 0-7. Despite having one of the most talented rosters in all of baseball, Atlanta has been unable to find a rhythm early on. The Braves’ pitching, which has been a major strength in recent seasons, has struggled to meet expectations, with Max Fried particularly having difficulty in this game. Fried went 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out six. His inability to keep the ball in the ballpark and his lack of command with the fastball were apparent as he faced off against the high-powered Dodgers lineup.
The Braves’ offense has been equally disjointed. They were only able to manage a single run in this contest, coming in the top of the eighth inning when Ronald Acuña Jr. hit an RBI double off of May, bringing home Austin Riley. The Braves were also unable to capitalize on any scoring opportunities with runners in scoring position, which has been a recurring theme early on this season.
Acuña, who is one of the premier talents in baseball, has been one of the few bright spots for Atlanta, and his double in the eighth was one of the few moments when the Braves seemed poised to mount a rally. However, that brief glimmer of hope was extinguished when the Dodgers bullpen, led by Brusdar Graterol, closed out the game with a quick, efficient final frame. Graterol struck out two batters and kept the Braves from threatening further.
It’s clear that the Braves’ early-season struggles are a combination of pitching inconsistency and a lack of offensive firepower. With a roster featuring some of the most dynamic players in the game, including Acuña, Freddie Freeman, and Ozzie Albies, the Braves will need to find their form quickly if they want to remain competitive in a crowded NL East division. The team’s offense has underperformed so far, and the pitching staff, especially Fried, will need to rediscover their rhythm in order to turn things around.
The Dodgers’ Early-Season Momentum
While it’s still early in the season, the Dodgers’ flawless start is a testament to the team’s depth and balance. The offense has been potent, the pitching staff has been dominant, and the defense has been sharp. A team that already boasts some of the best hitters in baseball—Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Will Smith, to name a few—now has an ace in Dustin May who is making the most of his opportunity to lead the rotation.
In fact, this victory over the Braves only adds to the narrative that the Dodgers are not just built to contend—they’re built to dominate. With an established core of talent and a manager in Dave Roberts who has shown he can steer the ship through a long season, the Dodgers are on pace to be one of the toughest teams to beat in the National League.
Moreover, Los Angeles has a well-rounded roster, which includes solid contributions from role players like Chris Taylor and Max Muncy, who continue to make an impact in key moments. The ability to have multiple players step up at different times is a hallmark of championship teams, and the Dodgers are showing that their depth is one of their biggest assets.
As for May, his performance tonight further cements his place as the cornerstone of the pitching staff. With Kershaw’s future uncertain and Julio Urías dealing with some injury concerns, May has stepped up and shown that he can be the anchor for a postseason-caliber rotation. His fastball-slider combination, along with his ability to throw strikes and manage the game, makes him a formidable opponent for any team.
Looking Ahead: Can the Braves Bounce Back?
While the Dodgers are riding high, the Braves are left searching for answers. They’ve dug themselves into a deep hole at 0-7, and while there’s plenty of time left in the season, every loss makes it harder to climb out. The Braves have the talent, but they will need to put it together quickly. A major part of this will be getting their pitching staff back on track and finding a way to jump-start their offense.
As for the Dodgers, their perfect start is something to celebrate, but they know that the real test of their championship aspirations will come later in the season. The road to the postseason is long, but with their combination of offensive firepower, dominant pitching, and strong defense, the Dodgers are certainly one of the teams to beat in 2025.
In conclusion, the Dodgers’ 3-1 victory over the Braves was a statement win for a team that has come out of the gates firing on all cylinders. Behind the lights-out performance of Dustin May, the Dodgers continue to prove that they are a well-rounded team capable of competing for a championship. For the Braves, the road ahead looks challenging, but with their talent, it’s far too early to count them out. The Dodgers, however, are setting a high standard early in the season, and they look poised to carry this momentum deep into 2025.