The Atlanta Braves will look to bounce back against the San Diego Padres on Friday night following a frustrating 7-4 loss on opening day.

The Braves were in control for most of Thursday’s game, but a disastrous 7th inning by an already suspect bullpen was the nail in the coffin as Hector Neris and Aaron Bummer surrendered four runs. Neris faced three batters and gave up three hits, including a homer, while Bummer was unable to stop the bleeding against the middle of San Diego’s lineup.

The Braves now turn to Reynaldo Lopez in the second game of the series, who was brilliant in 2024. Lopez made 25 starts a year ago and pitched to the tune of a 1.99 ERA, 2.92 FIP and 3.44 xFIP while logging 148 strikeouts in just over 135 innings. Lopez’s velocity was down a smidge throughout spring training, so all eyes will be on the radar gun early.

Atlanta will need Lopez at the top of his game with Dylan Cease set to start for San Diego. Cease, who was once a reported offseason trade target, has been one of the game’s best starters for four years now. The Braves teed off on Cease last May at Truist Park for five runs in four innings, but the 29-year-old righty got the last laugh with 11 strikeouts over six scoreless innings at Petco Park in July.

Look for the Braves to run a similar lineup as to what they rolled out on opening day. Despite scoring just four runs, the Braves had multiple opportunities for a big inning and couldn’t quite cash in. Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley both homered, and Ozzie and Drake Baldwin just missed two more homers in the middle innings that would have changed the game drastically.

First pitch is set for 9:40 p.m. ET. Get that coffee (or other beverage of choice on a Friday night) ready.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Friday, March 28, 2025 at 9:40 p.m. ET

Location: Petco Park, San Diego, CA

TV: FanDuel Sports Network

Streaming: MLB.tv

Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan