Braves reveal stacked lineup for Opening Day game vs. Phillies

The Atlanta Braves should have one of the best rosters in the NL once again this season.

With serious World Series aspirations, the 2021 Atlanta Braves will once again have one of the best lineups in all of baseball.

Atlanta has won the NL East each of the last three MLB seasons. The Braves’ championship window is wide open, but they will have tough competition in the NL with the likes of the San Diego Padres and the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, among others. Here is who the Braves will trot out there on Opening Day vs. the NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies.

Atlanta Braves Opening Day lineup 2021

1. RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
2. 2B Ozzie Albies
3. 1B Freddie Freeman
4. LF Marcell Ozuna
5. C Travis d’Arnaud
6. SS Dansby Swanson
7. 3B Austin Riley
8. CF Cristian Pache
9. SP Max Fried

Atlanta’s Opening Day lineup is absolutely loaded. Right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. leads off with second baseman Ozzie Albies in the two-hole and reigning NL MVP first baseman Freddie Freeman hitting third. Left fielder Marcell Ozuna bats cleanup with catcher Travis d’Arnaud and shortstop Dansby Swanson rounding out the heart of the order at four, five and six, respectively.

Third baseman Austin Riley occupies the No. 7 spot with top prospect in centerfielder Cristian Pache hitting eighth. Because the NL has not adopted the designated hitter full-time for 2021, southpaw Max Fried, who is making his first career Opening Day start, will be batting ninth. This will be a very difficult lineup for Phillies ace Aaron Nola to navigate multiple times over Thursday.

With a ton of offensive firepower, the Braves can win the division crown for a fourth year in a row.