The Atlanta Braves have been a perennial powerhouse in the National League East. Can they continue? And here’s a better question: Do you want to watch Braves games?
In this article, we’ll show you how to watch and stream the Braves game on your TV or device. Now the good news is that you can watch the Braves game for free.
How To Watch The Atlanta Braves For Free
You can watch the Braves game today or any other day, sign up for FuboTV and watch for free.
What TV Network Broadcasts Braves Games in the Postseason?
Depending on the game, the Braves may be found exclusively on the Bally Sports South or Bally Sports Southeast regional networks. Bally Sports telecasts will be anchored by Braves LIVE, the network’s flagship pregame and postgame show, according to Major League Baseball.
Prediction: Braves vs. Padres
The Braves are dealing with a string of injuries, making their situation even tougher. Along with Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, and Spencer Strider being sidelined with season-ending injuries, they’re now also missing Chris Sale. The 35-year-old left-hander, who is still in contention for his first Cy Young award, hasn’t pitched since September 19. Despite plans for him to make just one start in the final week of the season instead of two, Sale was scratched from his scheduled appearance in the crucial second game of Monday’s doubleheader due to back spasms. Manager Brian Snitker stated after the game that he doesn’t expect Sale to be available for the Wild Card Series, noting that back issues have plagued him throughout the season. However, team president Alex Anthopoulos confirmed earlier that Sale wouldn’t be placed on the injured list.
What Is the Braves Pitching Rotation Right Now?
The Braves’ pitching rotation of now is:
- Chris Sale
- Max Fried
- Charlie Morton
- Renaldo Lopez
How Will the Braves Do This Year?
Having proven themselves as a perennial power, the Braves are once again expected to challenge for the pennant.
“There should be no acceptance of anything less than winning a World Series in this organization,” Braves Opening Day starter Spencer Strider told MLB.com. “I’m biased, but this is the most talented team in baseball. We need to set our bar as high as possible. Anything less than that is an underachievement for us.”
Here’s a breakdown of how some of the major parts of the team are expected to fare this year.
Pitching
After last season, the Braves knew they had to upgrade their bullpen if they were going to be taken seriously in October. Namely, Max Fried and Kyle Wright were still green.
This lack of depth resulted in the team ranking 17th in the majors in ERA, despite having 16 different starting pitchers. However, the top 3 starters managed to keep the team afloat, leading to the Braves ranking 9th in fWAR for starting pitchers.
To bolster their rotation, the Braves made a bold move, trading Vaughn Grissom to the Boston Red Sox for Chris Sale. Sale, a dominant force in the 2010s, is known for his high strikeout rates and has finished in the top 5 in Cy Young voting 6 times. Despite struggling with injuries since joining the Red Sox, Sale showed promise in 2023, making 20 starts and posting a 4.30 ERA with 125 strikeouts in 102.2 innings. His postseason experience and big-game mentality could be valuable additions to the Braves’ rotation.
Spencer Strider will be the Opening Day starter, coming off a season where he recorded 20 wins and 281 strikeouts in 186.2 innings, despite his ERA being inflated due to soft contact and poor defense. With his impressive arsenal of pitches, including a newly refined curveball, Strider is projected to be one of the top pitchers in the league in 2024, with an ERA in the low 3s and WAR totals in the top 5.
Max Fried, a stalwart in the Braves’ rotation, will likely take the 2nd spot. Fried went 8-1 with a 2.55 ERA in 2023 but was limited to 77.2 innings due to injuries. In his last year under contract with Atlanta, Fried will look to have a healthy campaign and maintain his low ERA, pitching around 185 innings and aiming for a top-10 pitcher ranking.
Charlie Morton, at 40 years old, will occupy the 3rd spot. In 2023, Morton had an inconsistent season but still managed a 3.64 ERA and 188 strikeouts in 163.1 innings, showcasing his reliable curveball. He is projected to be an excellent starter in 2024 and will provide stability in the rotation.
Chris Sale is expected to be the 4th starter, assuming he stays healthy and continues his high strikeout rates. Sale’s presence could add significant value to the Braves’ rotation.
The 5th spot is up for debate, with Reynaldo López, a free agent signed from the Cleveland Guardians, currently favored. The Braves also have several other options, including Bryce Elder, AJ Smith Shawver, Huascar Ynoa, Ian Anderson, and Dylan Dodd, who have all shown potential at the major league level.
Braves Infield Outlook
The Atlanta infield boasts a formidable lineup, starting with Matt Olson at first base. Olson, the MLB home run king, achieved a .993 OPS, 54 HRs, and 139 RBIs in his second season with the A’s. In 2024, he is projected to have a top 3 season in terms of WAR among first basemen, competing with hall of famers Freddie Freeman and Bryce Harper. Olson is expected to maintain a high level of performance, projecting around a 4.5 WAR, 40+ HRs, and well over 100 RBIs, putting him in contention for the home run crown once again.
Moving to second base, Ozzie Albies had a standout 2023 season, leading all second basemen in home runs (33) and RBIs (109) while ranking in the top 5 in most other stats. Projected to hit around 30 HRs and 100 RBIs again in 2024, Albies is considered one of the best 2B in the sport.
At third base, Austin Riley is a rising star, having achieved three straight 30 HR seasons by 2023. With 37 HRs, 97 RBIs, and a .861 OPS in 2023, Riley looks poised to become one of the best at the hot corner. Projections for 2024 place him in the high 4s in WAR, nearly 40 HRs, and 110 RBIs.
Completing the infield at shortstop is Orlando Arcia, who, while considered the weakest link in the Atlanta infield, is still a solid player. Arcia was 88th percentile in range and had some highlight fielding moments, along with a .741 OPS, 17 HRs, and 65 RBIs in 2023. Projections for 2024 suggest he will be a league-average hitter and fielder, but having a league-average player as the weakest hitter on the team speaks to the strength of Atlanta’s lineup.
Braves Outfield
Atlanta’s outfield is a mixed bag of strengths and potential weaknesses for 2024. Left field was a concern in 2023, with players like Eddie Rosario, Kevin Pillar, and Forest Wall rotating through, contributing about 1.4 fWAR. To bolster this position, the Braves traded for Jarred Kelenic, a former top prospect who struggled in his early career but showed promise in 2023 with 11 home runs and a .746 OPS. Despite a rough start in spring training, the Braves also brought back Adam Duvall to platoon in left. Duvall, a fan favorite, had a stellar 2021 season, including 38 home runs, 113 RBIs, and a Gold Glove.
In center field, 23-year-old Michael Harris II, the 2022 NL Rookie of the Year, had a slow start in 2023 but finished strong, posting a .878 OPS in the second half and ranking 7th in fWAR among center fielders despite missing 24 games due to injuries. He is projected to be one of the best in the sport in 2024, with expectations of hitting over 20 home runs and providing elite defense, potentially surpassing players like Mike Trout and Luis Robert Jr.
What is the Braves Starting Lineup?
- Catcher (2): Sean Murphy and Travis d’Arnaud
- First baseman (1): Matt Olson
- Second baseman (1): Ozzie Albies
- Shortstop (1): Orlando Arcia
- Third baseman (1): Austin Riley
- Outfielders (4): Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, Jarred Kelenic, Adam Duvall
- DH (1): Marcell Ozuna
- Bench/Utility (2): Luis Guillorme, Forrest Wall
Starting Pitchers (5): LHP Max Fried, RHP Spencer Strider, RHP Charlie Morton, LHP Chris Sale, RHP Reynaldo LópezRelief Pitchers (8): RHP Raisel Iglesias, LHP A.J. Minter, RHP Joe Jiménez, RHP Pierce Johnson, LHP Tyler Matzek, LHP Dylan Lee, LHP Aaron Bummer, RHP Jesse Chave
Who Did The Atlanta Braves Play on Opening Day?
The Atlanta Braves opened their home schedule with a win against the Philadelphia Phillies and have kept at it ever since. The loss of Ronald Acuña Jr. is a major one for the Braves, but not one that can’t be overcome.
Final Word
The Braves have been surging through the 2023 campaign and deservingly so, the team has nothing short of title hopes. To no one’s surprise, a large part of the season hinges on the healthy arm of pitcher Ronald Acuña and the bullpen.
The Braves are just one of many Atlanta teams that you can support. The Falcons and Hawks could really appreciate your help.
