EDITOR’s NOTE: Welcome to the first of many regular reports on the Atlanta Braves as the 2026 MLB season gets under way. Check back every Monday for another installment of our ongoing Braves coverage,
By Francisco Enrique Avila
The air in Atlanta felt different this Opening Day. High pressure and massive expectations weighed on the Braves as they took the field without Brian Snitker in the dugout for the first time in nearly a decade. Replacing a legend is never easy, but in Walt Weiss, the Braves have a leader who is no stranger to the clubhouse. Having managed the Colorado Rockies and served as the Braves’ bench coach since 2018, Weiss possesses a firm grasp of the DNA of this roster. However, the question remained: would his experience be enough to satisfy a “Playoffs or bust” fanbase?
Through the opening weekend of the 2026 season, the “Weiss Braves” looked as dangerous as ever. Atlanta opened the year with a statement, dismantling the Kansas City Royals 6-0 on Opening Day before following it up with a gritty 6-2 victory in game two. While the Royals managed to avoid the sweep with a 4-1 victory on Sunday, the early success of the weekend was fueled by an Atlanta roster that is living up to its billing—specifically, center fielder Michael Harris II.
Harris II: Midseason Form in March?
The 25-year-old Decatur, Georgia, native didn’t wait until the summer heat to find his rhythm. The former 2022 National League Rookie of the Year proved exactly why he is considered one of the most dynamic talents in the sport. On Opening Day, Harris provided the “exclamation point” on an already dominant performance. Batting out of the nine-slot, he crushed a 102.9 mph, two-run homer off Royals starter Cole Ragans in the fourth inning. The 371-foot blast wasn’t just a highlight-reel moment; it served as the ultimate insurance policy, slamming the door on any hopes of a Kansas City comeback.
But Harris is more than just a power threat. In the second game of the series, his versatility took center stage. He went 3-for-4, acting as the primary catalyst for an offense that refused to let up, driving in the tying run in the bottom of the ninth. In just a two-game span, Harris tallied four hits and a home run, providing a spark that dictates the entire flow of the Atlanta offense. Even an 0-for-3 day on Sunday didn’t diminish a strong start: a .364 batting average with a 1.000 OPS.
The Weiss Factor: Silencing the Doubts
While much of the offseason chatter centered on whether Weiss could truly fill Snitker’s shoes, and it’s only been three games, the initial results suggest the transition has been seamless. It is easy to underestimate Weiss, but his intimate knowledge of this clubhouse has allowed the Braves to avoid the typical turmoil associated with a managerial change.
In the opening series of a long season, the Braves didn’t play like a team in transition; they looked more like a team on a mission. Let’s see if it continues.
Looking Ahead
After taking two out of three from Kansas City, the Braves now pivot to a full week of action. Fans can catch the Braves as they continue their homestand against the Athletics before hitting the road for a high-stakes series against the Diamondbacks.
Here’s the upcoming schedule with probable pitchers when available & TV information for each game:
- Mon, March 30: Oakland Athletics (J. Lopez) at Atlanta Braves (Elder) | 7:15 PM | MLB.tv / Fubo / BravesVision
- Tue, March 31: Oakland Athletics (Civale) at Atlanta Braves (TBD) | 7:15 PM | MLB.tv / Fubo / BravesVision
- Wed, April 1: Oakland Athletics (Severino, 0-0, 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) at Atlanta Braves (Sale, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) | 12:15 PM | MLB.tv / Fubo / BravesVision
- Thu, April 2: Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks | 9:40 PM | MLB.tv / Fubo / BravesVision
- Fri, April 3: Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks | 9:45 PM | Apple TV
- Sat, April 4: Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks | 7:15 PM | FOX
- Sun, April 5: Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks | 4:10 PM | MLB.tv / Fubo / BravesVision