Friday’s game: Braves vs. Mets

Probable starting pitchers: Braves LH Eric Stults (8-17, 4.30 ERA in 2014) vs. LH Jonathan Niese (9-11, 3.40)

What's new: Hank Aaron, Dale Murphy and Chipper Jones will be among the dignitaries on hand for a pregame ceremony honoring 50 years of Atlanta Braves baseball. This series, the Braves avoid facing defending National League rookie of the year Jacob deGrom and ace Matt Harvey, who has returned from Tommy John surgery. They'll have to improve on their hitting against left-handers to start the season, though, after going 1-for-19 (.053) against lefties during their series sweep in Miami. The Braves hit .313 (25-for-80) and drove in all 16 of their runs against the Marlins from the right side. Platoon players such as Jonny Gomes and Chris Johnson will be counted on to improve those numbers.