Braves running back same lineup for Phillies opener
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 15: Ozzie Albies #1 celebrates with Dominic Smith #8 of the Atlanta Braves after a home run against the Miami Marlins in the second inning at Truist Park on April 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Brett Davis/Getty Images) | Getty Images Another right-handed starter on the mound means another start for Dominic Smith in the Braves lineup for Friday night’s opener of the road series against the Phillies.
Smith, who is still on a torrid start to his Braves tenure, will bat seventh and serve as the designated hitter with Philadelphia starting veteran Taijuan Walker on the hill. With five more RBIs in the Marlins series, Smith is up to 15 RBIs in as many games played early this season, batting . 381 and OPSing 1.
043 in 42 at-bats. The lineup is carrying over from the Marlins series finale, with Mike Yastrzemski back in the lineup and Mauricio Dubon once again of Michael Harris II at the bottom of the order. 📍 Philadelphia #BravesCountry pic.
twitter. com/ykVksldkUC — Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 17, 2026 Walker, who is in his sixth straight season in the NL East with the Mets (2021-22) and Phillies (2023-26), is 3-2 with a 4. 63 ERA in 11 games against the Braves in his career.
He faced Atlanta twice last season, allowing no runs over a combined 6 2/3 innings. The current Braves roster is 27-for-89 (. 303) against Walker with three homers, six doubles, 18 strikeouts and 14 walks.