ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The Atlanta Braves opened the regular season as potential World Series candidates and instead have found themselves lagging 12.5 games behind in the NL East and 11 games under .500 at the halfway mark.

Some of it is injuries – Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Shawver and Reynaldo Lopez are all on the 60-day IL. Some if it is offensive underachievement – Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies rank in MLB’s bottom seven in OPS.

But the All-Star break has passed. Friday’s series opener against the New York Yankees at Truist Park marks the start of the second half of the season, and the team knows what’s at stake as the year rounds out.

“I think the biggest thing is we’re right there,” infielder Nick Allen said. “We were in a lot of games. I think if we can just get over the hump and come out with wins … we’ll be in a good spot.

“We all know what we need to do.”

Right-hander Spencer Strider takes the mound Friday against New York, opposing Ian Hamilton, who will act as the opener in what will be a bullpen game for the Yankees.

To Atlanta’s dissatisfaction, Yankees southpaw and former Brave Max Fried won’t pitch this weekend as he’s recovering from a blister on the index finger of his throwing hand. He’s hopeful to pitch in the team’s next series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Regardless, fans got to see Max Fried’s return to Atlanta during All-Star Game festivities. Manager Brian Snitker also got a chance to catch up with the former Atlanta pitcher, too.

“I couldn’t wait to see him,” Snitker said of Fried. “I actually ran into him in the hotel Monday morning before we even came out to the ballpark. It’s great to see Max … I saw every big-league pitch he threw and got to know he and his family. You have a special place for guys like that for the rest of your life.

“He’s such a fine young man and great competitor – what he’d done for our organization over the years, you can’t say enough about a guy like that.”

Although storms might complicate things, first pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Coverage starts at 6:30 p.m. Braves legend Andruw Jones joins the Braves on Gray crew ‘Live from the Chop.’ He’ll talk about the Yankees/Braves rivalry and talk All-Star Week with Paul Byrd, Charlie Culberson and ANF Sports Director Baillie Burmaster.

Braves add RHP Dunning

Atlanta on Thursday acquired right-hander Dane Dunning from the Texas Rangers in exchange for right-hander José Ruiz and cash considerations.

Dunning, 30, has a 3.38 ERA in 10.2 innings this season, striking out 10 and walking five. He had a 4.47 ERA for Triple-A Round Rock this year (49 K, 18 BB in 46.1 IP). He made 25+ starts every year from 2021-23 before a rough 2024 (5.31 ERA in 95 IP)

He reported to the Braves on Friday.

“He’s like one of those Swiss army knife guys. He’s done a little bit of everything,” Snitker said. “I think that’s a good get just because he can fill out a lot of roles. We’re going to use him out of the bullpen and go from there.”

“It’s been fantastic. It’s been great,” Dunning said of the sudden move to Atlanta. I’ve heard a lot of things from former teammates. Super excited for this opportunity to be here.”

Riley making progress

Third baseman Austin Riley strained his right abdomen while making routine plays in the infield last weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The team placed him on the 10-day injured list on Saturday and he’s had the entire All-Star break to make progress in his recovery.

“I just saw (Riley) and he feels a lot better,” Snitker said on Friday. “He’s in there, they’re doing exercises and stuff like that. … We’ll know more now that we got him back under out roof and check him out to see where he’s at.”

Riley took batting practice on Friday and hopes to be activated from the injured list next week.

Nacho Alvarez Jr. is slotted in the lineup and playing third base during Friday’s game against the Yankees. Alvarez was hitting .361 in 11 games with Triple-A Gwinnett.

How to watch Braves on Gray

Gray Media will simulcast these 15 Atlanta Braves games throughout the Southeast this season.

Fans can watch the Braves on Gray on Friday by tuning into PeachtreeTV, Atlanta’s CW Network. Fans can also watch games on YouTube TV, over the air on channel 17.1 and on channel 17 on Dish Network and DirecTV and channel 7 on Xfinity and Spectrum.

Fans can watch Saturday’s Braves on Gray simulcast by tuning into Atlanta News First over the air on channel 46 or on YouTube TV, Dish Network, DirecTV, Xfinity and Spectrum.

If you are in another market outside of Atlanta, you can find your channel at BravesOnGray.com.