How the Royals' season opener in Atlanta went sideways -- and what awaits Saturday

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Mar 27, 2026

Published in Baseball

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ATLANTA — Kansas City Royals ace Cole Ragans slipped off the mound in the first inning of Friday evening’s season opener at Truist Park.

The 28-year-old left-hander was facing Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies and lost his footing as he planted toward the ground. Ragans shook it off, and to that point he had retired the first two Brave on three pitches.

Things began to unravel quickly after that, however. Albies bested him later in the at-bat, belting an 83.8 mph changeup over the left-field wall to give the Braves an early lead.

Atlanta proceeded to hammer two more home runs off Ragans. And after four innings, he was replaced by left-handed reliever Bailey Falter.

It wasn’t the opening day start Ragans would’ve hoped for. Or the Royals, who were shut out 6-0.

Ragans struggled to land his secondary pitches, recording just 52 of his 90 pitches for strikes. He also left a few mistake pitches over the plate and the Braves took advantage.

Per Statcast, Ragans gave up four combined hard-hits with his slider and changeup. The average exit velocity against his slider was 105.5 mph.

Braves designated hitter Drake Baldwin extended the hosts’ lead with a third-inning homer. And Braves center fielder Michael Harris made Ragans pay after a one-out walk in the fifth, hitting a two-run shot over the right-field wall.

The Royals mustered just three of their five total hits against veteran left-handed Braves starter Chris Sale. He didn’t have his best command, either — the Royals made him work — but he was able to navigate around potential trouble.

In the second inning, the Royals had the bases loaded with one out. It was their best chance to scratch across an early run against Sale. But the opportunity was wasted.

Offseason acquisition Isaac Collins grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat. He saw two pitches in the at-bat and rolled over on a 96.2 mph fastball from Sale.

The Royals finished 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.

Sale pitched six shutout innings. He was able to work deeper into the game behind a couple of fine defensive plays from Braves stars Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley. Both robbed Royals hitters (Salvador Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino) of hits in the sixth inning.

On Saturday, the Royals will turn to Michael Wacha as their starting pitcher agains the Braves. The 34-year-old right-hander will be opposing Atlanta’s Reynaldo Lopez in a game that is scheduled to start at 6:15 p.m. Central Time at Truist Park.

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