First Pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PM ET
Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA (Braves home)
TV/Streaming: BravesVision / Gray TV (Braves), NBCSCA (Athletics), MLB.TV (out-of-market)
This is Game 2 of a three-game interleague series. The Braves took Game 1 on Monday night by a 4-0 shutout, improving to 3-1 while dropping the Athletics to 0-4. Atlanta jumped on starter Jacob Lopez early with three first-inning runs highlighted by a Matt Olson double and Mauricio Dubón single; Bryce Elder tossed six strong innings for the win.
Recent Team Forms
Athletics (0-4, 5th AL West): Oakland/Sacramento has opened the season with four straight losses, scoring just 2.0 runs per game while allowing 3.0. The offense has been anemic (under 4 hits/game in recent outings), and the club is searching for any spark on the road. Pitching has kept them in games but can’t overcome the lack of run support.
Atlanta Braves (3-1, ~2nd-3rd NL East): The Braves have started hot, winning three of four and blanking the Athletics in the series opener. Offense has been efficient and timely, while the staff (especially the bullpen) has been dominant early. They remain a powerhouse at home and look to push their winning streak to three games.
Injury Report
Athletics:
SP Gunnar Hoglund: 15-Day IL (lumbar spine strain).
Additional rotation and depth arms limited early; the club is relying on veterans like Civale to stabilize a thinned staff.
Braves:
C Sean Murphy: 10-Day IL (hip labral tear) – out until at least early May.
SP Spencer Strider: 15-Day IL (left oblique strain).
SS Ha-Seong Kim: 10-Day IL (torn tendon in right middle finger).
RP Joe Jimenez: 60-Day IL (knee).
RP Joey Wentz: 60-Day IL (knee / torn ACL).
SP AJ Smith-Shawver: 15-Day IL (elbow).
RP Danny Young: 15-Day IL (elbow).
SP Hurston Waldrep: 15-Day IL (elbow).
RP Daysbel Hernández: 15-Day IL (shoulder).
Atlanta’s pitching depth and lineup are noticeably thinner, but the club has managed well so far with available talent.
Starting Pitchers & Key Player Matchups
Athletics: RHP Aaron Civale (0-0, 0.00 ERA in limited 2026 action; 2025: 4-9, 4.85 ERA)
Making his first start of the season after a brief bullpen appearance. Civale relies on a deep arsenal (sinker, cutter, curve) and induces weak contact but can be vulnerable to power when command slips. He’ll need to navigate a Braves lineup missing key pieces but still loaded with right-handed thump.
Braves: LHP Jose Suarez (0-0, 0.00 ERA in 2026; recent limited action ~3.38 ERA)
Suarez gets the nod for his first start of the season after working primarily in relief the past couple of years. He brings a solid fastball/changeup mix with swing-and-miss potential against righties. Expect him to attack the zone early and exploit the Athletics’ cold bats.
Key Matchups to Watch:
Athletics lineup (Shea Langeliers, Brent Rooker, etc.) vs. Suarez: Oakland’s righty-heavy attack has struggled early; Suarez’s lefty changeup could be devastating.
Braves stars (Matt Olson vs. his former club, Ozzie Albies, Marcell Ozuna) vs. Civale: Olson in particular has extra motivation, and Atlanta’s power should capitalize on any mistakes in warm Truist conditions.
Series History
The Braves have owned recent interleague play, winning 4 of the last 5 meetings and going 7-3 in the past 10 overall. Truist Park has been particularly unkind to the Athletics, with Atlanta posting strong home results in this matchup historically.
Weather Updates
Game-time conditions at Truist Park: Approximately 76-78°F, partly cloudy, light winds (5-10 mph, neutral to slightly in from left), and a low ~10% chance of precipitation. Classic warm, comfortable late-March evening in Atlanta that should play neutral-to-slightly hitter-friendly without extreme wind or humidity issues.
Game Odds
Athletics 9
Atlanta Braves – 163
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, March 30, 2026
