ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The Atlanta Braves are already off to a stronger start than they were at this point last season.<\/p>\n
Coming off a 76-86 campaign, the Braves opened the 2026 season with a series win over the Kansas City Royals, highlighted by a thrilling Saturday victory when Dominic Smith hit a walk-off grand slam to complete a comeback.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Dominic Smith crushes walk-off grand slam to put Braves past Royals<\/a><\/p>\n The team is now three games into a 13-game stretch to start the season and will continue Monday when the Braves host the Athletics at Truist Park for a three-game series.<\/p>\n The Athletics, who were swept by Toronto in their season opener, are searching for their first win. Meanwhile, the Braves, now in the Walt Weiss era, hope to build on their hot hitting despite lingering questions about their pitching staff.<\/p>\n Pitching probables<\/p>\n Monday, 7:15 p.m. – RHP Bryce Elder vs. LHP Jacob Lopez<\/p>\n Tuesday, 7:15 p.m. – TBD vs. RHP Aaron Civale<\/p>\n Wednesday, 12:15 p.m. – LHP Chris Sale vs. RHP Luis Severino<\/p>\n Bryce Elder is set to make his first start of the season Monday against the Athletics after a mixed spring, posting a 4.73 ERA over 13.1 innings, including one outing where he allowed five runs in 3.1 innings.<\/p>\n With injuries to Spencer Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider and Hurston Waldrep, Atlanta\u2019s pitching staff is thin beyond Chris Sale, Reynaldo L\u00f3pez, Grant Holmes and Elder. As of Sunday, the Braves have not announced a starter for Tuesday\u2019s matchup against Athletics right-hander Aaron Civale.<\/p>\n Hitters to watch<\/p>\n Braves: Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II have started the season strong after struggling early in 2025, each going 4-for-11 with a home run on opening day. Austin Riley also has four hits to start the season. While it\u2019s only three games, all three appear to have put last year\u2019s struggles behind them.<\/p>\n Athletics: Shea Langeliers has opened the 2026 season with a bang, crushing three home runs in the team\u2019s first two games. In fact, he\u2019s the only player on the A\u2019s roster with more than two hits through the team\u2019s first three games. Another guy to watch is left-handed slugger Nick Kurtz, despite his early season struggles. The 23-year-old hit 36 home runs in 117 games last season en route to the American League Rookie of the Year award.<\/p>\n Injury report<\/p>\n Braves:<\/p>\n RHP Daysbel Hern\u00e1ndez (shoulder)RHP Joe Jimenez (knee)SS Ha-Seong Kim (finger)C Sean Murphy (hip)RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow)RHP Spencer Strider (oblique)RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow)RHP Hurston Waldrep (elbow)LHP Joey Wentz (knee)LHP Danny Young (elbow)<\/p>\n Athletics:<\/p>\n How to watch Braves on Gray<\/p>\n The Braves and Gray Media will simulcast 25 games for free, over-the-air to fans across Braves Country through Braves on Gray<\/a> local television stations, reaching 26 markets throughout the Southeast.<\/p>\n