Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies smashed a solo home run in the first inning after manager Walt Weiss placed him third in the lineup for Friday's Opening Day game against the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park. The surprising slot came despite Albies' recent struggles against left-handed pitching. Weiss expressed confidence in the switch-hitter's recovery from injury.
ATLANTA -- New Braves manager Walt Weiss unveiled his Opening Day lineup with Ozzie Albies batting third, sandwiched between Drake Baldwin and cleanup hitter Matt Olson, for the matchup against the Royals. Albies quickly validated the decision by crushing a solo homer down the left-field line off Royals lefty starter Cole Ragans in the first inning at Truist Park on Friday night, March 27, 2026. Weiss had considered multiple lineup configurations but settled on this one. “I slept good last night actually,” he said. “I went around a few different ways with the lineup. I had about two or three written on paper. I went with this one for a few different reasons. I'm sure y'all will ask why, but I feel good about our lineup.” Albies, a switch-hitter, posted a .708 OPS in 186 plate appearances from the right side last year amid struggles influenced by a fractured left wrist suffered in July 2024. However, Weiss is banking on a return to form like 2023, when Albies had a 1.023 OPS against left-handers in 128 at-bats. “I want to put Ozzie in position to get as many right-handed at-bats as possible,” Weiss explained. “They're going to target Baldwin and Olson with their [left-handed relievers]. So, you know, there's a price to pay with Ozzie sitting there in between them.” The lineup shifts Austin Riley to fifth despite his .940 OPS against southpaws in 2023. Against right-handed starters, Weiss plans Baldwin and Olson back-to-back in the second and third spots. This setup aims to protect the lefty duo from opposing bullpens.
