The Atlanta Braves open their 2014 MLB season on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers. The game starts at 2:10 p.m. ET. Listen to the live radio broadcast via the links provided below.
Atlanta suffered blows before the season began with the season-ending injuries to pitchers Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy. The Braves' pitching corps is further depleted while Gavin Floyd and Mike Minor continue to recover from elbow surgery and a sore shoulder, respectively.
Despite the losses, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez is optimistic his team will still be a contender in the NL East.
"We always find a way to do it and get over it. Somebody else will step up," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez told the Associated Press. "I have the confidence in our club that they'll overcome that."
The lack of healthy pitchers gives Julio Teheran (14-8, 3.20 ERA) the opening-day start, where he'll duel with Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo (12-10, 4.18).
Monday also marks the return of Brewers slugger Ryan Braun, whom the MLB suspended for 65 games last season as part of the Biogenesis fallout. Monday will also be Braun's first game at his new position, right field.
One of the changes Milwaukee made over the offseason included planting a new sod, according to the Associated Press. Despite having to contend with cold temperatures, the groundskeepers managed to have the field ready for opening day.
"It looks absolutely fantastic," Brewers outfielder Logan Schafer said. "It's a lot firmer underneath. Last year, we'd do a lot of burnouts trying to get jumps and we'd kind of kick up a lot of grass. But you look it looks great out there, playing great."
Listen to the live radio broadcast HERE (ATL) and HERE (MIL).
