The Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres open their season on Thursday.
It's a 2024 postseason rematch as the Braves return to Petco Park, where the Padres eliminated the injury-riddled Braves in the NL Wild Card Series.
Reigning Cy Young winner Chris Sale will be on the mound for the Braves, and Michael King will get the nod for the Padres.
The first pitch for the four-game series in San Diego is set for 4:10 p.m. EDT on Thursday.
OPENING DAY NEED TO KNOW
San Diego; Thursday, 4:10 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Chris Sale (0-0); Padres: Michael King (0-0)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Braves -128, Padres +109; over/under is 7 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres begin the season at home against the Atlanta Braves.
San Diego went 93-69 overall and 45-36 in home games a season ago. The Padres' pitching staff averaged 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings while giving up 4.1 runs per game in the 2024 season.
Atlanta had an 89-73 record overall and a 43-38 record on the road last season. The Braves averaged 3.1 extra base hits per game, including 1.3 home runs.
INJURIES: Padres: Joe Musgrove: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Braves: Joe Jimenez: 15-Day IL (knee), Ronald Acuna Jr.: 10-Day IL (knee), Spencer Strider: 15-Day IL (elbow), Ignacio Alvarez: 10-Day IL (wrist), Sean Murphy: 10-Day IL (rib)
