The wait is almost over.
Thanks to bad weather in Philadelphia, Braves fans had to wait one more day for their team’s opening day game while everyone else in the world of baseball got their seasons started today.
But with sunny and breezy weather predicted for tomorrow’s game, the Braves 2024 season will finally get started tomorrow, albeit not at home in Truist Park, but back at the place where their post-season dreams ended abruptly: Citizens Bank Park in Philly.
After tomorrow’s opener, they will play regular-season baseball right up until late summer, then, hopefully, through the fall in post-season play, resulting in their ultimate destination toward the end of October, an appearance in the World Series.
This will be the first time the two teams have seen each other since the disappointing National League Division Series that saw the Braves denied a National League Championship appearance last season. The Braves will be seeking a measure of revenge tomorrow against the Phillies.
For Atlanta, Spencer Strider (RH) will do the honors as the first starting pitcher of the regular season. Last season, Strider had a 3.86 ERA and was 20-5. For the Philadelphia Phillies, Zack Wheeler (also RH) will pitch. He had a 3.61 ERA and a 13-6 record in 2023.
Likely batting lineups for the Braves…
- Ronald Acuña Jr., RF
- Ozzie Albies, 2B
- Austin Riley, 3B
- Matt Olson, 1B
- Marcell Ozuna, DH
- Michael Harris II, CF
- Sean Murphy, C
- Orlando Arcia, SS
- Jarred Kelenic, LF
For the Phillies…
- Kyle Schwarber, DH
- Trea Turner, SS
- Bryce Harper, 1B
- Alec Bohm, 3B
- J.T. Realmuto, C
- Bryson Stott, 2B
- Nick Castellanos, RF
- Brandon Marsh, LF
- Johan Rojas, CF
The game starts at 3:05 PM at Citizens Bank Park this Friday.
Photo credit: Chris Pastrick