3 homers, strong start by Chris Sale carry Braves to 6-0 win over Royals on opening night in Atlanta

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves homered three times to back six strong innings by Chris Sale, leading Atlanta to a 6-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on opening night Friday.

Coming off an injury plagued season that ended their streak of seven straight playoff appearances and already plagued by an ailing starting rotation, Sale (1-0) provided just what the Braves needed. He allowed three hits and three walks with six strikeouts before giving way to the bullpen.

Ozzie Albies homered in the first, reigning NL rookie of the year Drake Baldwin went deep in the third, and Michael Harris II added a two-run shot off Royals starter Cole Ragans (0-1) in the fourth. The left-hander was lifted after that inning, having surrendered six hits with four walks.

Braves newcomer Mauricio Dubón finished off the scoring, driving in two runs with a double to the gap in right-center against Bailey Falter in the seventh.

There are plenty of doubts about the Braves rotation after Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep went down in the spring training before Spencer Strider joined them on the injured list late in camp. For one night at least, Sale showed that the top of the starting staff is in good hands.

The bullpen looks much stronger, with former San Diego closer Robert Suárez working a scoreless eighth in his new role as the Braves set-up man for Raisel Iglesias.

Atlanta also made a winner of new manager Walt Weiss, who took over after the departure of Brian Snitker. It was Weiss' first victory in the top role since 2016, when he finished up a four-year run as Colorado's manager.

Royals: RHP Michael Wacha takes the mound in the second of three games in the series at Truist Park. He is 1-4 with a 4.42 ERA in nine career outings against Atlanta, including seven starts.

Braves: RHP Reynaldo López makes his first start in exactly a year. He went five innings against San Diego on March 28, 2025, before being shut down for the rest of the season with shoulder issues.

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Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia (11) steals the base against Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) during the third inning of an opening-day baseball game, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Braves' Ozzie Albies (1) celebrates his solo homer against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of an opening-day baseball game, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Braves' Ozzie Albies (1) celebrates his solo homer against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of an opening-day baseball game, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Braves' Drake Baldwin (30) celebrates his solo home run against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning of an opening-day baseball game, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) deliveres in the first inning of an opening-day baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry missed his 24th straight game for the Golden State Warriors on Friday night, but is set to resume 5-on-5 scrimmaging in the coming days with hopes he might still return from a lingering right knee injury before the end of the regular season.

The 38-year-old Curry was re-evaluated Friday ahead of the team's home game against the Washington Wizards for the patella-femoral pain syndrome/bone bruising he has been dealing with the past two months.

He's scheduled to be evaluated again next week. Golden State initially hoped he would return right after the All-Star break, and Curry sat out the All-Star Game this year. Curry, leading the Warriors with 27.2 points per game, last played Jan. 30 against Detroit.

“The whole idea is (when) he's healthy he's going to play,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “If he's not healthy or if there is a risk at all, he won't play. He clearly gives us a dramatically better chance to win a game if he's on the floor. We're hoping he comes back, but we're not going to take any chances.”

The Warriors continue to be plagued by injuries, losing guard Moses Moody for the season on Monday in Dallas, and he underwent surgery Friday for a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.

Curry's younger brother, Seth, is still sidelined by a strained left inner thigh muscle. He has resumed scrimmaging and was listed as day-to-day.

Center Quinten Post is also day to day with right foot soreness.

Fellow big man Al Horford sat out his eighth consecutive game because of a strained muscle in his right calf but has started on-court workouts and will be re-examined in a week.

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Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody reacts after being fouled by Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg during overtime of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 23, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis, center, and guard Gary Payton II, left, react after guard Moses Moody (4) suffered an injury during overtime of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks Monday, March 23, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry looks on from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks Monday, March 23, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry watches from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets in San Francisco, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry watches from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets in San Francisco, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)