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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 27: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after pitching against the Kansas City Royals in the fourth inning of the home opener at Truist Park on March 27, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves are 2-1 with an opening series win against the Kansas City Royals.
Now, the Athletics come into town for a three-game set. Barring any changes, Atlanta will send Bryce Elder, Jose Suarez, and Chris Sale to the mound.
Mark Bowman of MLB.com reported today that Didier Fuentes is being sent down to Triple-A, and Martin Perez will be brought up to the MLB level for a potential spot start when Atlanta heads out west for its first road trip of the season.
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Athletics vs. Braves Series Preview
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 27: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after pitching against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning of the home opener at Truist Park on March 27, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The first two games of the Braves series with the Athletics will be a good litmus test for Atlanta in the early going of the season.
Bryce Elder will get his first start of the season in game one, and Jose Suarez will get the ball in game two.
The Braves don’t have their first off day until April 9, so they will need extra hands on deck for the first couple of weeks of the season.
The Athletics are still looking for their first win after being swept by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Atlanta’s offense exploded in its Opening Day game, but the next two games of the Royals series featured more strikeouts and several baserunners left stranded. However, part of that was due to Kansas City rolling out Seth Lugo in game three, who is the ace of the staff.
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 24: Bryce Elder #55 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on September 24, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Braves Second Series Predictions
The Braves should be able to pick up a series win against the Athletics, being at home. The A’s will roll out, same as the Braves, their fourth and fifth starter before turning the rotation over for the series finale.
However, Atlanta is turning its rotation over to Chris Sale. Luis Severino will pitch for the A’s, but it’s still a pitching advantage for Atlanta (slightly).
This would be a good series for Atlanta to utilize the tandem of Robert Suarez and Raisel Iglesias in the eighth and ninth innings to close out a victory.
As always, though, it should be a good, exciting series with two lineups filled with capable hitters, and it’s great to have baseball back!
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