Braves Opening Day roster, predicted

The Atlanta Braves will look to defend their first World Series championship in 26 seasons.

In a few weeks, the Atlanta Braves will be back on the baseball diamond looking to defend their World Series championship.

It was a tumultuous season the year prior for Atlanta. The Braves struggled to get over .500 until the latter months of the season. While they won the worst division in baseball, Atlanta caught fire at the right time to orchestrate a run in October for the ages. By beating the Milwaukee Brewers, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros in succession, they are the reigning champions.

Here is what Atlanta’s roster could look like on Opening Day vs. the Cincinnati Reds on April 7.

Atlanta Braves Opening Day lineup

1. RF Eddie Rosario
2. 2B Ozzie Albies
3. 1B Matt Olson
4. 3B Austin Riley
5. LF Marcell Ozuna
6. DH Alex Dickerson
7. CF Adam Duvall
8. C Travis d’Arnaud
9. SS Dansby Swanson

Look for Eddie Rosario to lead off, Ozzie Albies to bat second and newcomer Matt Olson to hit third right out of the gate. The heart of the order will be Austin Riley in cleanup, Marcell Ozuna hitting fifth and Alex Dickerson occupying Ronald Acuña Jr.’s spot on the roster while he recovers from injury. Adam Duvall, Travis d’Arnaud and Dansby Swanson will round out the batting order.

Atlanta will probably carry four other position players on their expanded 28-man roster because of the shortened spring. Candidates to make the club in that manner include Orlando Arcia, William Contreras, Phil Gosselin, Guillermo Heredia and Manny Piña. The bulk of the Atlanta bench will be of the infielder and catcher variety because Atlanta’s fourth outfielder will be the designated hitter.

Atlanta Braves Opening Day rotation, bullpen

1. RHP Charlie Morton
2. LHP Max Fried
3. RHP Ian Anderson
4. RHP Kyle Wright
5. RHP Huascar Ynoa
6. LHP Tucker Davidson

Because Charlie Morton is working his way back from injury, Atlanta may go with a six-man rotation while they can to take advantage of a larger roster and save their arms for innings to come. Morton, Max Fried and Ian Anderson and top of the rotation locks. Tucker Davison, Kyle Muller, Kyle Wright and Huascar Ynoa are all candidates for two to three spots in the rotation.

1. Luke Jackson
2. Kenley Jansen
3. Tyler Matzek
4. Collin McHugh
5. A.J. Minter
6. Sean Newcomb
7. Darren O’Day
8. Will Smith
9. Tyler Thornburg

As with the starting rotation, Atlanta will have roughly nine arms in the bullpen. Even if Luke Jackson is dealing with arm soreness, look for the Night Shift to be back in full force this season (Jackson, Tyler Matzek, A.J. Minter, Will Smith). Newcomers like Kenley Jansen, Collin McHugh and Tyler Thornburg are welcomed additions to the incredibly dominant Atlanta bullpen this spring.

Though they suffered some attrition from last year’s team, Atlanta sure has the talent to repeat.