The Braves have used only four starters since 2014, and most pitched well, but the club won only two games. Here’s a quick recap of how the starter fared.
The Braves made Julio Teheran an Opening Day tradition
Julio Teheran took the ball for six consecutive Opening Day starts, tying him with Hall of Famer Warren Spahn for the most consecutive Opening Day starts since 1901 and putting him fourth on the Braves all-time list.
- On March 31, 2014, Teheran went six innings and gave up only two runs but took the loss as the Braves offense took the day off.
- On April 6, 2015, Teheran allowed one run in six IP. The offense gave him just enough runs to notch a 2-1 win, with Jason Grilli getting the save.
- On April 4, 2016, Teheran threw six innings and gave up two runs before leaving with the game tied 2-2. The Braves scored in the eighth, but Jason Grilli blew the save, and Eric O’Flaherty gave up the lead and took the loss in 10.
- On April 3, 2017, Teheran threw six shutout innings and left with the game tied 0-0. Ian Krol entered, faced four batters, and gave up three runs. Chas Roe faced one batter and gave up a homer, and O’Flaherty entered and gave up two more in the Braves loss.
- On March 29, 2018, Teheran gave up four runs in 5 2/3 IP and left with the Braves down by two. Arodys Vizcaino picked up the win when Nick Markakis his a three-run walk-off homer.
- On March 28, 2019, Teheran gave up 3 in five and took the loss.
Mike Soroka, Max Fried, and Spencer Strider
In a 2020 season shortened to a 60-game tournament – for want of a better description – Mike Soroka went six shutout innings, but the Braves couldn't score for him. Chris Martin gave up a solo homer to Yoenis Cespedes and took the loss.
The 2021 season saw Max Fried take the ball for the first of three Opening Day starts. On April 1, he gave up two runs in five IP, but the lineup wasn’t awake yet, so he left down by two. The lineup finally arrived and tied the game in the seventh, but Nate Jones took the loss of a walk-off single in the 10th.
- On April 7, 2012, Max Fried gave up five runs in 5 2/3 IP and left down by four. The Braves grabbed two in the ninth, but it wasn’t enough and he took the loss.
- On March 30, 2023, Fried gave up 1 in 3 1/3 left with a hamstring injury and the Braves leading 3-1. Lucas Luetge pitched an inning and got the win as the Braves beat up Patrick Corbin and the Nationals on their way to a 7-2 win.
On March 29, 2024, Spencer Strider gave up two runs in five innings pitched, but the Braves broke out the bats late and beat up the Phillies bullpen, cruising to a 9-3 win.
That’s a Wrap
Sometimes we forget how much the Atlanta Braves depended on Julio Teheran. In his six Opening Day starts, Julio pitched to a 2.73 ERA, striking out 24 in 29 2/3 IP. He took the ball every day and would have a better record if he’d had a more consistent offense and a better defense behind him.
When Chris Sale takes the mound in San Diego, he becomes the 56th pitcher to toe the rubber on Opening Day. It will be the sixth time the Braves have faced the Padres on opening day and the fifth time.
A Braves win would be a great way to start the Braves 150th season, and Chris Sale is the perfect man to make the start. In his four career starts against San Diego, he’s 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA in 28 innings that include 30 strikeouts and three walks.
More Braves News from House That Hank Built
manual