The 2024 MLB season is upon us and NL East rivals the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies give us the best Opening Day pitching matchup: Spencer Strider vs. Zack Wheeler. Nothing can be better than this. The Braves have won the division in each of the last six years, although the Phillies have eliminated Atlanta in the NLDS in each of the last two seasons. This rivalry is fierce.
Here’s what you need to know before the Braves and Phillies meet on Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park, although they will not meet on Thursday. The opener, scheduled for March 28, was pushed back a day due to rain and the teams will now open their seasons on Friday, March 29.
Braves vs. Phillies
date: Friday, March 29 | Time:3:05 PM ET
Place:Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia)
live stream: fubo (try free), MLB.TV | TV: NBC 10, Bally Sports South
potential pitchers:RHP Spencer Strider vs. RHP Zack Wheeler
odds: ATL-125; PHI +105; Over/Under: 7.5 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Story
Brave: The Braves were the best team in baseball last season, with 104 wins, and they batted .501. as a team, That slugging percentage will earn you a spot in the All-Star Game and maybe even some MVP votes, and Atlanta did that as a team. Incredible. Reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. will try to build on last year’s historic 41-homer, 73-steal campaign. It was the greatest power/speed season in baseball history. The Braves will once again be one of the best teams in baseball and will be on the short list of World Series contenders in 2024. They are the model organization in the game right now.
Phillies: The Phillies have eliminated the Braves from the postseason each of the past two years, leading to all of Atlanta’s division titles, and they look poised for a deep run in the postseason again. Their offseason was more low-key than usual – there were no massive free-agent signings for the first time in several years – but their cornerstone players remained productive and in their prime, and it stands to reason that Bryce Harper will be better than he is. Tommy John surgery moves further away. Trea Turner should be even better in Year 2. On paper, the Braves have the edge in 2024, but don’t be surprised if the Phillies battle them for the division title in September.
