The Daily Chop: Opening Day! MLB Predictions and more

  We made it! After a long and cold winter, the Atlanta Braves and Major League Baseball will return Thursday. The Braves will begin the season on the road (again) kicking off a six-game road trip with a three-game set in Philadelphia. The Braves haven’t officially announced their Opening Day roster, but the moves made over the weekend have it all but set barring a late addition. We put together a primer for the Opening Day roster as well as one thing to watch for every hitter and pitcher. If you haven’t been following throughout the spring, there is plenty of good info in our season preview which can get you up to speed on where things started and where they stand now.
2021 MLB Predictions

The Talking Chop staff wrapped up our season predictions Wednesday with our picks for the division winners, World Series winner and every major award in the National League and American League. Let us know what you think. If you missed any of our predictions, you can find them all here.
More Braves News

MLB.com’s Mark Bowman counts down five of the most memorable moments in Braves Opening Day history.
MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince ranks the 10 best lineups in MLB for the 2021 season with the Atlanta Braves coming in fifth.

Major League Baseball released its list of the Top 10 most popular MLB jerseys. Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger top the list. Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. comes in at No. 7.
MLB News
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo disclosed Wednesday that Washington will be down five players and one staff member for Opening Day after a player tested positive for COVID-19.

The Blue Jays will be without two key players to start the 2021 season. Both George Springer and Robbie Ray are headed to the 10-day injured list. Springer is recovering from a Grade 2 oblique strain. Ray suffered a bruised left elbow after he fell down a set of stairs on March 23.
The Kansas City Royals placed shortstop Adalberto Mondesi on the 10-day injured list due to a right oblique strain.

The Miami Marlins announced a new deal for the naming rights for their home stadium. The former Marlins Park will now be known as loanDepot park.
Phillies manager Joe Girardi announced Wednesday morning that Hector Neris will be the team’s closer if they need one on Opening Day. New acquisitions Archie Bradley and Jose Alvarado will slot into setup roles.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is hoping that MLB stadiums will be at full capacity by midsummer.