The Braves wrapped up their brief two-game exhibition set with the Marlins today before Opening Day on Friday. There wasn’t a lot of offense for the good guys. However, the Braves should have figured out a couple of things before their first regular-season game against the Mets.
Kyle Wright is the team’s 5th starter
During the broadcast, Kelly Crull — the new field reporter for the Braves broadcasts on Fox Sports — reported that Alex Anthopoulos called the last spot in the rotation Kyle Wright’s to lose. He took the mound for the Braves in the game and didn’t do anything to cost himself the job.
Wright was far from perfect, allowing two earned runs on four hits and three walks in 3.2 innings. However, his stuff looked crisp, and the Braves are at the point where they don’t have much choice but to trust him to start the season. He will have a short leash, especially after the addition of Jhoulys Chacin, but he should begin the shortened campaign in the rotation.
Austin Riley earned the starting nod at third base
Johan Camargo is battling a hamstring tweak. He took BP on Thursday and didn’t seem to feel any pain, but the Braves have yet to decide on his Opening Day status. Perhaps Camargo doesn’t need a stint on the 10-day IL. However, Brian Snitker can give him some extra days off to begin the season because Austin Riley showed what he can bring to the table today with two monster home runs in his only two at-bats and was responsible for all of the Braves offense.
Matt Adams belongs on the Opening Day roster
The Braves acquired Matt Adams a couple of days ago, and they’ve given him two full games worth of at-bats. Yesterday, he walked twice and was responsible for the walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth. Today, Adams reached base two more times with another walk and a single. The Braves needed another powerful left-handed bat, and he provides just that. Adams can DH against righties and be a game-changing option off the bench in other games.
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