Braves vs. Athletics series recap: A business-like start to the season

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 31: Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates hitting a home run during the first inning against the Athletics at Truist Park on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images 4-2 sure beats the crap out of 0-7, right?

Indeed, the Atlanta Braves have gotten their season off on the right foot following a successful homestand to get things going. Atlanta took the opening series with two straight wins over the Royals to start things off and now they’ve kept things going in the right direction by picking up another series win over the Athletics. Now granted, the Athletics always seemed like a pretty favorable opponent and that was especially the case after they spent most of their opening series in Toronto whiffing left and right.

Still, the A’s are the type of team that the Braves have to take care of business against if they plan on playing meaningful baseball later on this year and as far as the early test goes, the Braves have passed it in fine fashion. So let’s take a look at how the final series of this first homestand for the Braves. Monday, March 30 Braves 4, Athletics 0 Well, would you look at that?

Two shutouts in four games for the Braves pitching staff — just like all of us predicted, right? Indeed, Bryce Elder got his season off to a fantastic start as he delivered six shutout innings while dancing around even the slightest bit of trouble that the A’s tried to cause him. On the offensive side of things, the Braves did most of their damage in the first inning as they rudely welcomed Jacob Lopez to Atlanta with three runs to start things off.