SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 28: Brett Wisely #0 of the San Francisco Giants hits an RBI double scoring Mike Yastrzemski #5 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the bottom of the second at Oracle Park on July 28, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves fans had to wait one more day than most MLB patrons before watching their team’s first game of the season, but it’s finally here. The Braves are set to take on the Kansas City Royals in a three-game set at Truist Park Friday night, and the series will run until Sunday afternoon.
Chris Sale will get the start for the Braves, and on Friday morning, lineups were announced. Absent from the Braves’ lineup is Mike Yastrzemski, who is sitting against Royals’ southpaw Cole Ragans.
More MLB on Heavy: Miguel Rojas Doesn’t Hold Back in Message to Dodgers Haters
Mike Yastrzemski Absent from Braves Opening Lineup
GettyMike Yastrzemski watches his solo home run during a Giants game against the Padres on April 30, 2025.
This is the lineup the Atlanta Braves are going with for game 1 of 162 on Friday night:
- RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
- DH Drake Baldwin
- 2B Ozzie Albies
- 1B Matt Olson
- 3B Austin Riley
- LF Eli White
- SS Mauricio Dubon
- C Jonah Heim
- CF Michael Harris II
Drake Baldwin is the name that pops up here, as he’s hitting second versus a southpaw. Baldwin had a stellar spring training and is fresh off NL ROTY honors.
This is Walt Weiss’s managerial debut, and it seems like he’s making it clear he will do things differently this year as the Braves’ new clubhouse front. Ozzie Albies in the three spot, and Michael Harris II hitting last.
It’s a lineup that features six right-handed hitters (including switch) against the lefty Cole Ragans.
With Chris Sale getting the nod to start the first game, it’s crucial that Atlanta gets out to a fast start in his bump days.
The Mike Yastrzemski decision is also interesting because he’s the one external free-agent hitter they signed who will make a big impact on the lineup. Ragan’s is a solid pitcher, but there will be better lefties along the way, so it’s fair to wonder how many AB’s he will get against southpaws.
More MLB on Heavy: Report: Cubs Extend Nico Hoerner to Six-Year Deal
Braves Opening Game Previews
The Chris Sale and Cole Ragans is sure to make this opening game exciting.
After a disappointing season last year, the Braves are looking to get off to a better start than in 2025, when they were 0-7 to start the long campaign.
This go around, Atlanta has the benefit of a three-game series in its home ballpark to start the season, instead of a seven-game road trip out west.
With a bolstered bullpen, closing games might not be the issue for the Braves, but it will be can they get to the eight and ninth innings with a lead.
After Chris Sale in the rotation, things get a lot dicier from Braves starters, and the first few weeks of the season will be a good indicator of how this team can hang with deeper lineups.
More MLB on Heavy: Red Sox Predicted to Cut Ties with $90 Million Outfielder by MLB Insider
More Heavy on Braves
Loading more stories