The first two weeks of the season would not go like this for Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay rays, both of which are used to winning and competing during the season.
If the early results are any indication, they may have plenty of free time in October.
The clubs will start a three-game Interleague series Friday night in Tampa.
On Thursday, Host Atlanta fell behind 2-1 in the 11th round against Philadelphia Phillies, but Braves tied it at Austin Riley’s double before Marcell Ozuna Belt a two-run Homer for a 4-2 victory. The team endured a 2-hour, 45-minute rain delay after the bottom of the sixth with the game tied at 1.
Even with the victory, the RUN-starved Braves are only 3-9 to start the campaign. They could use the former National League MVP Ronald Acuna Jr., but it may take some time.
Manager Brian Snitker said Thursday that 27-year-old star Outfielder will have his injured left knee investigated early next week in Los Angeles. Acuna tore its left front cruciate ligament on May 26 and underwent surgery on June 6.
Acuna has participated in batting exercise but has not yet been cleared to run the bases.
“It will be about, just like other guys who lack spring training, get their body in shape when he is cleared,” Snitker said.
In the opener of the series, Snitker will turn to his right hand Bryce Elder, who will look to improve from its April 2 season debut against the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Elder (0-0, 6.75 era) allowed three runs in four rounds. He handed over home to Tommy Edman and Michael Conforto when Dodgers won 6-5 on Shohei Ohtani’s walk-off Homer in the ninth.
Elder lost his lonely career start against Rays as early as 2023, which gave seven runs on six hits and four walks in 3 1/3 rounds in a 10-4 road defeat.
With a schedule that is front load with home competitions to beat Florida’s summer rain, Rays-who missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2018-To play the fourth game in a 13-game home. They lost two of three against Los Angeles Angels to start the week.
After starting 4-1, manager Kevin Cash’s has lost six of the last seven because it plays 19 of its first 22 games in Tampa.
The rays delivered a forgetful performance on Thursday when the angels turned it into a one -sided knockout of Socking Six Home Runs.
11-1 Walloping certainly left a mark on Rays, which allowed an eight-run fifth inning containing two homers from Jo Adell.
“I mean, we’re frustrated,” Cash said. “I can assure you that these guys are frustrated there. We would like to play better baseball. Everyone wants to get out of spring training and get out on a good start. It doesn’t feel like we are doing right now. A series or two can change it. That’s how we have to keep looking at it.”
Tampa Bay Right Hander Taj Bradley (1-0, 4.91 era) will oppose the eldest on Friday. He lost his only career start against Atlanta in 2023 after giving up four runs on five hits in five rounds of a 6-1 home setback.
Bradley beat Colorado Rockies in his season debut in 2025 but fought control problems in a decision without a decision on Texas Rangers on Saturday. He gave up four runs and two hits while he issued four walks in five rounds, even though he found seven.
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