Atlanta Braves vs San Diego Padres Picks and Predictions May 25th 2025

Game Preview: Atlanta Braves vs. San Diego Padres

The Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres are set for the rubber game of their home series on Sunday afternoon. All eyes will be on Braves’ right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr., who has started his season with a bang after returning from an ACL injury. The Braves look to secure the series win after evening it on Saturday. Stay updated with all live baseball events through MLB Scores and Odds.

Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Hot Return

Ronald Acuña Jr. has wasted no time making an impact in his return to the Atlanta Braves lineup. After nearly a year sidelined due to an ACL injury, Acuña hit two home runs in his first two games. Despite initial plans to rest him, Braves manager Brian Snitker confirmed Acuña will play in the series finale, stating, “I just talked to him, and he feels great. We have the off day on Monday, and then we’ll just look at it as we go down the road. We planned on giving him a day, but if I’m swinging the bat like he is …” Through his first two games, Acuña is 3−for−9 with two homers and three RBI.

Pitching Matchup: Schwellenbach vs. Cease

The mound duel for the finale features two right-handers: Atlanta’s Spencer Schwellenbach (3−3, 3.52 ERA) and San Diego’s Dylan Cease (1−3, 4.50 ERA).

Schwellenbach is making his 11th start of the season and enters with two consecutive wins. In his last outing on Sunday at Boston, he pitched seven innings, allowing four runs on six hits, one walk, and three strikeouts in a 10−4 victory. He previously faced the San Diego Padres on March 29, yielding just one hit over six scoreless innings in a 1−0 loss, receiving no decision. In two career starts against San Diego, Schwellenbach holds an impressive 2−0 record with an 0.69 ERA.

Dylan Cease will also make his 11th start, seeking his first win since April 2. Despite a lack of offensive support, he has allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last seven starts. Cease acknowledged the challenges, saying, “I just feel it’s part of the game. It’s a long season and you kind of go through your lulls, but they’re capable of coming out and putting up 10. It’s a long season. That’s why it’s a difficult game.” In his most recent outing on Tuesday at Toronto, Cease took the loss, giving up three runs on three hits over seven innings in a 3−0 defeat. He also faced the Braves in the season-opening series on March 28, allowing three runs on four hits over 431​ innings in a 4−3 Padres win. In four career starts against Atlanta, Cease is 2−0 with a 4.19 ERA.

Team Trends and Statistics

The Braves bounced back on Saturday with a 7−1 victory over the Padres, marking their first win against San Diego in six attempts this year. The Atlanta Braves currently hold a 25−26 record, placing them 3rd in the NL East. They average 4.2 runs per game and are tied for 11th in MLB with 56 home runs.

The San Diego Padres have been struggling offensively, scoring two or fewer runs in seven of their last eight games, resulting in a 1−7 record during that span. They are currently 3rd in the NL West with a 28−22 record. The Padres rank 21st in MLB in runs scored (208) and 24th in home runs (45), reflecting their recent offensive woes. The exception to their struggles has been Manny Machado, who is 4−for−6 with a home run in the current series. He has hit safely in 17 of his last 22 games, raising his season average to .317.

Match Outlook

With Ronald Acuña Jr. providing an immediate spark to the Braves’ offense and Spencer Schwellenbach consistently pitching well, Atlanta looks poised to take the series. However, the Padres, despite their recent offensive slump, are capable of breaking out, especially with a veteran like Dylan Cease on the mound determined to get a win. This series finale promises to be a tight contest as both teams aim to finish the weekend on a high note. For comprehensive analysis and betting tips, check out our MLB Expert Picks. Sources