The first six weeks of the regular-season schedule will have the Braves staring directly into the eyes of nine teams expected to contend for a postseason berth this season.
In the first week, the Braves play six games against the Nationals (at home for the first two games of the season and four on the road the following week) and three against the Cardinals (between the games against the Nationals).
Of the first 41 games, 35 will come against the Cardinals, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Mets, Nationals, Pirates, Red Sox and Royals. Nineteen are at Turner Field and 22 are on the road.
In that group:
•The defending World Series champions (Royals).
•The defending National League champs (Mets).
•Two other defending division champs (Cardinals and Dodgers).
•The wild-card Cubs, who won 97 games last season and are the pick of many to win the Central (and maybe the World Series) this season.
•The wild-card Pirates, who won 98 games last season.
•The Diamondbacks, who won only 79, but added superstar pitcher Zack Greinke and (oh, yeah) Shelby Miller, and are expected to contend in the NL West.
•Then there’s last season’s underachieving Nationals, who should contend primarily with the Mets to win the NL East this season, and the Red Sox, who signed David Price and are team many observers think could contend in the AL East. Sporting News preseason preview magazine, for example, picks the Red Sox to win the East.
As for the other six games, three are against Marlins, an unpredictable team with young talent, and the Phillies.
More on the Braves:
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Ender Inciarte excited to be a Brave, says dad would be proud.
Freddie Freeman likes energy, positive vibe in clubhouse.
The Braves’ schedule in April and early May:
April 4, 6 — at home vs. Nationals (2)
April 8-10 — at home vs. Cardinals (3)
April 11-14 — at Nationals (4)
April 15-17 — at Marlins (3)
April 19-21 — at home vs. Dodgers (3)
April 22-24 — at home vs. Mets (3)
April 25-26 — at home vs. Red Sox (2)
April 27-28 — at Red Sox (2)
April 29-May 1 — at Cubs (3)
May 2-4 — at Mets (3)
May 6-8 — at home vs. D-backs (3)
May 10-12 — at home vs. Phillies (3)
May 13-15 — at Royals (3)
May 16-19 — at Pirates (4)
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