New York Mets at Atlanta Braves preview: Home Opener

Apr 2, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Aaron Harang (34) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Update: The Braves have released today’s lineup.

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Opening Day is always a landmark occasion for any baseball fan, but with the Atlanta Braves beginning their season on the road virtually every season, the home opener is beginning to rival the “national holiday” in Braves Country. With that, the Braves are set to open their Turner Field slate on Tuesday, and the newest member of Atlanta’s rotation will be on the mound for the first pitch.

Aaron Harang began his Braves career with a lights-out effort (6.2 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER) on Wednesday in Milwaukee, but there is certainly a segment of the fan base that still has big-time worries, and the 35-year-old righty will have an opportunity to quiet them here. Harang has lost the “upside” that made him a high-end option earlier in his career in Cincinnati, but the Braves seem to unearth these guys regularly, and he looked crisp against a Brewers offense that is significantly better than the one that the New York Mets will trot out on Tuesday.

Speaking of the Mets, New York is in the basement of the NL East at 2-4 after the first week, and they are sending an even older pitcher to the hill in 40-year-old Bartolo Colon. Colon has enjoyed a career renaissance lately, but his age combined with his less than trim physique bring questions about whether it can continue, and at the very least, he won’t overpower anyone in Atlanta’s lineup. The Braves enjoyed an up-and-down week at the plate, but Colon can be had, and it would be nice to see some crooked numbers on the scoreboard here.

Here is a look at the particulars for Tuesday’s opener:

Date: April 8, 2014

Start Time: 7:10 p.m.

TV Channel: SportSouth

Tickets: New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves tickets

Radio: 680 AM/106.7 FM (Local in Atlanta), Full list of Local Affiliates

Live Stream: MLB.tv (Click Here, $)

Be sure to follow us on Twitter (@ATLBeatBlog) for more information, and check back after the game for a full recap. Sound off in the comments!