Braves Make Mike Yastrzemski Decision Before Royals Game

Atlanta Braves followers needed to wait yet another day than most MLB patrons earlier than watching their crew’s first sport of the season, but it surely’s lastly right here. The Braves are set to tackle the Kansas City Royals in a three-game set at Truist Park Friday evening, and the sequence will run till Sunday afternoon.

Chris Sale will get the beginning for the Braves, and on Friday morning, lineups have been introduced. Absent from the Braves’ lineup is Mike Yastrzemskiwho’s sitting in opposition to Royals’ southpaw Cole Ragans.

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Mike Yastrzemski Absent from Braves Opening Lineup

gettyMike Yastrzemski watches his solo residence run throughout a Giants sport in opposition to the Parents on April 30, 2025.

This is the lineup the Atlanta Braves are going with for sport 1 of 162 on Friday evening:

1. RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
2. D.H. Drake Baldwin
3. 2B Ozzie Albies
4. 1B Matt Olson
5. 3B Austin Riley
6. L.F. Eli White
7. SS Mauricio Dubon
8. c Jonah Heim
9. C.F. Michael Harris II

Drake Baldwin is the identify that pops up right here, as he is hitting second versus a southpaw. Baldwin had a stellar spring coaching and is contemporary off NL ROTY honors.

This is Walt Weiss’s managerial debut, and it looks like he is making it clear he’ll do issues in a different way this 12 months because the Braves’ new clubhouse entrance. Ozzie Albies within the three spot, and Michael Harris II hitting final.

It’s a lineup that options six right-handed hitters (together with swap) in opposition to the lefty Cole Ragans.

With Chris Sale getting the nod to begin the primary sport, it is essential that Atlanta will get out to a quick begin in its bump days.

The Mike Yastrzemski choice can also be attention-grabbing as a result of he is the one exterior free-agent hitter they signed who will make a big effect on the lineup. Ragan’s is a stable pitcher, however there will probably be higher lefties alongside the best way, so it is truthful to marvel what number of AB’s he’ll get in opposition to southpaws.

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Braves Opening Game Previews

The Chris Sale and Cole Ragans are positive to make this opening sport thrilling.

After a disappointing season final 12 months, the Braves need to get off to a greater begin than in 2025, once they have been 0-7 to begin the lengthy marketing campaign.

This go round, Atlanta has the good thing about a three-game sequence in its residence ballpark to begin the season, as an alternative of a seven-game street journey out west.

With a bolstered bullpen, closing video games may not be the difficulty for the Braves, however it will likely be can they get to the eight and ninth innings with a lead.

After Chris Sale within the rotation, issues get so much higher from Braves starters, and the primary few weeks of the season will probably be an excellent indicator of how this crew can grasp with deeper lineups.

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