The long winter has finally ended. Baseball is back. While the league laughed at the misfortunes of nearly half the teams yesterday—particularly the misfit centerfielder Oneil Cruz—the focus now shifts to the Kansas City Royals’ own challenges. Today’s game against the Atlanta Braves marks the start of the 2026 season, and the Royals’ Opening Day starter, Cole Ragans, faces a critical test. This will be his third consecutive Opening Day start, but he’s yet to secure a victory in such games. His last appearance in an Opening Day contest came in 2024, when he took the loss against Minnesota. Last year, he was sidelined by injury and struggled with a higher ERA, though advanced metrics suggest he pitched more effectively than his stats indicated when he was healthy. Fans will be watching closely to see if he can replicate that performance this season. Ragans, who has never faced Atlanta as a Royal, will encounter a formidable Braves lineup. The team features star power in Ronald Acuña Jr., Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson, and Austin Riley, but also includes players with inconsistent performances. Former Royals like Mike Yastrzemski may find themselves on the bench due to his split numbers. The Royals’ familiarity with Atlanta’s starter, Chris Sale, adds another layer of complexity. Sale, who previously pitched for the White Sox, has evolved into an elite pitcher again, making him a tough matchup for the Royals. The Royals’ Opening Day lineup includes four players who weren’t on the team at this time last year, including Maikel Garcia, who returns to the top of the order after a strong 2025 season and standout performance in the World Baseball Classic. Garcia’s return to the leadoff spot is a positive sign, though his absence from the Opening Day lineup last year raised questions.#ronald_acua_jr #atlanta_braves #kansas_city_royals #oneil_cruz #cole_ragans
Braves WBC Round Up: Acuña Gets Last Laugh, Alvarez Shines for Mexico The Atlanta Braves’ star players made headlines for their playful antics and standout performances during the early stages of the World Baseball Classic. Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies engaged in lighthearted banter during a pool play game against Venezuela, with Acuña joking around after Albies failed to pick him off on a double. The two teammates continued their friendly rivalry on social media, with Acuña teasing Albies by tagging him on X with a message about a signed shirt. Albies has yet to respond to the joke. Acuña contributed offensively for Venezuela, going 1-for-4 with a walk and scoring two runs. He helped his team take an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, driven in by Luis Arraez, and later extended the advantage to 5-1 in the fifth inning. Meanwhile, Albies went 0-for-4, while fellow Braves player Chadwick Tromp, representing the Netherlands, struck out twice and failed to record a hit. The Netherlands are set to face Nicaragua on Saturday, while Venezuela will take on Israel later that day. Nacho Alvarez Jr., another Braves player, made an immediate impact for Mexico in their opening game against Great Britain. Alvarez hit a home run in the second inning, launching the ball at over 97 mph for a 394-foot blast to left field. The power play was followed by a celebratory pose, including a chest pump and a luchador mask donned after rounding the bases. Mexico led Great Britain 4-1 at the time of the report and is scheduled to face Brazil on Sunday. The WBC continues to showcase both competitive moments and off-field camaraderie, with the Braves’ players contributing to the excitement in multiple ways.#ozzie_albies #ronald_acua_jr #world_baseball_classic #atlanta_braves #nacho_alvarez_jr
Ronald Acuña Jr. and Venezuela to Face Ozzie Albies and Netherlands in World Baseball Classic The 2026 World Baseball Classic kicked off today with a matchup featuring two Atlanta Braves stars, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies, representing their respective teams. The first game of Pool D in Miami took place at loanDepot park, where Acuña and Venezuela faced off against Albies and the Netherlands, which included players like Jurickson Profar and Chadwick Tromp. Andruw Jones, a former Braves great, served as the Netherlands’ manager, adding a familiar Braves connection to the game. The contest, scheduled for Friday, March 6, at 12:00 p.m. ET, offered fans a chance to watch Acuña and Albies compete in high-stakes action earlier than usual. While the outcome remains uncertain, Braves supporters are expected to find value in the matchup regardless of the result. The game will be broadcast via MLB Audio and Sirius XM, providing access for fans unable to attend in person.#venezuela #ronald_acua_jr #ozzie_albies #netherlands #andruw_jones
