First Pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PM ET
Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
TV: MLB.TV, NBCSCA (ATH), Bally Sports South / Bally Sports Southeast (ATL) | Radio: 650 KSTE / A’s Cast (OAK), 680 The Fan / 93.7 FM (ATL)
Game Overview
This interleague series opener features the visiting Athletics (0-3, 5th in AL West) looking to snap a winless start against the host Atlanta Braves (2-1, 4th in NL East). The A’s have dropped their first three games of the season, while Atlanta picked up a series win to open the year. The Braves host the three-game set at Truist Park, where they’ll look to capitalize on home-field advantage and early momentum.
Recent Team Forms
Athletics (0-3): Oakland has struggled offensively and with consistency early, posting low scoring output and facing bullpen strain. They’re 0-3 on the road to begin 2026 and enter this series still hunting their first victory.
Braves (2-1): Atlanta has shown solid early form with a series victory, displaying better run production and pitching depth in limited action. They’re 2-1 straight up and have looked competitive at home despite some roster challenges.
Probable Pitchers & Player Matchups
Athletics: LHP Jacob Lopez (0-0, strong strikeout profile ~10.9 K/9 in recent action) vs. Braves: RHP Bryce Elder (0-0, ~4.73 ERA career/home splits noted)
Lopez brings swing-and-miss stuff with a fastball-changeup-slider mix but can be prone to command issues. He’ll face a Braves lineup featuring Ronald Acuña Jr. (RF), Ozzie Albies (2B), and power threats like Matt Olson (1B) and emerging contributors such as Drake Baldwin (C).
Elder relies on a sinker-cutter-changeup arsenal to generate ground balls and weak contact. He’ll square off against the Athletics’ core, including Brent Rooker (DH/OF), Shea Langeliers (C), and hitters like Luis Urias or JJ Bleday looking to spark the offense.
Key matchup edges: Lopez’s strikeout upside versus Atlanta’s patient, power-oriented approach; Elder’s home-ground-ball tendencies against Oakland’s early-season contact struggles. Expect a competitive game with Truist Park’s dimensions playing neutral-to-slightly pitcher-friendly in mild conditions.
Injury Report
Athletics
Gunnar Hoglund (SP): 15-Day IL (knee) – out until at least early April.
Additional depth arms noted on short-term IL (one P expected out until ~April 10). Oakland’s rotation and bullpen depth are impacted early, relying on call-ups.
Braves
Spencer Strider (SP): 15-Day IL (left oblique strain) – out until ~April 6.
Sean Murphy (C): 10/60-Day IL (right hip labral tear) – out until at least May.
Ha-Seong Kim (SS): 10-Day IL (torn tendon in right finger).
Longer-term: Spencer Schwellenbach (SP, elbow), Hurston Waldrep (SP, elbow), Daysbel Hernández (RP, shoulder), Joe Jimenez (RP, knee), and others on IL.
Atlanta recently selected the contract of LHP Martin Perez and optioned Didier Fuentes to Triple-A to help cover rotation/bullpen depth. No changes expected for today’s active roster.
Series History
The Braves hold a strong historical edge: 15-5 in the last 20 meetings and 18-7 all-time against the Athletics franchise in select samples. Recent interleague play has favored Atlanta at home. This marks the 2026 opener of the three-game series.
Weather Updates
Game-time conditions at Truist Park: ~72°F, mostly clear/mild skies, light wind ~5–6 mph, humidity ~55%, precipitation chance ~6%. Excellent early-season baseball weather with no rain concerns—comfortable temperatures and minimal wind impact expected throughout the evening.
Betting Trends
Early trends (small sample): Braves are 2-1 SU with solid home trends; Athletics are 0-3 ATS as road underdogs. Totals have been manageable in Atlanta’s early games. Home favorites in interleague openers have performed well historically.
Game Odds
Athletics 9
Atlanta Braves – 136
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, March 29, 2026
