Atlanta at Philadelphia

Atlanta opens the season on the road, but who cares? The Braves were 52-29 on the road last year, the best road record in baseball. The offense was No. 1 in runs scored and on-base percentage, while the bullpen was 12th in ERA. Their +231 run differential was the best in the majors. Starter Spencer Strider is an ace, coming off a 20-5 season with 281 strikeouts. The Braves were 89-41 last year when favored by -130 or more. Philadelphia started slow last season at 5-10. 33-year-old starter Zack Wheeler signed a huge contract in the offseason, though the team lost his lone playoff start against Atlanta, 5-4. Meanwhile, Strider was a perfect 4-0 versus the Phillies during the 2023 regular season beating Philadelphia 9-3, 4-1, 11-4, and 4-2. Play Atlanta.