Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres aim to run past Braves again

If Opening Day is any indication, expect San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. to do a lot more stealing in 2025.

Tatis went 3-for-4 and swiped two bases Thursday in San Diego's come-from-behind 7-4 win over the visiting Atlanta Braves. He took advantage of the slow delivery of Chris Sale to pilfer third base on both occasions.

The series continues on Friday night at Petco Park.

Last year, Tatis hit .276 with 21 homers and 49 RBIs but stole only 11 bases in 102 games. Missing 60 games from late June to early September with a stress reaction in his right leg put a crimp in his totals and his ability to run.

A new year and better health, however, appear to have returned the wheels to a guy who has swiped as many as 29 bases in 2023.

"I feel amazing and I think I showed it today," he said. "I have my legs under myself."

Tatis also hit in the leadoff spot against Sale, one of the toughest left-handers around. Manager Mike Shildt said that Luis Arraez fits at the top of the order but that he would consider leading off Tatis in other games.

Tatis wasn't the only San Diego player showing off some hot wheels. Manny Machado stole a pair of bases, including a seventh inning double steal with Xander Bogaerts that led to the team's last run.

"We talk about (building) the offensive machine," Shildt said, "and with the baserunning, everybody was on point."

The Padres hope that right-hander Dylan Cease is on point for his first start of 2025.

Cease went 14-11 with a 3.47 ERA last year, his first with San Diego. And after the bullpen covered 6 1/3 innings after a short start by Michael King, the team could use some length from Cease.

Cease is 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA in three career starts versus the Braves.

Atlanta will counter with right-hander Reynaldo Lopez, coming off the best season of his nine-year MLB career. Lopez posted an 8-5 mark and a 1.99 ERA in 135 2/3 innings over 26 appearances, fanning 148. Right shoulder inflammation cost him a chunk of time in September.

Lopez is 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA in three career outings against the Padres.

Injuries were the overarching story of the Braves' 2024, even though they made the playoffs.

Most of last year's walking wounded appear ready for this year. That includes third baseman Austin Riley, who rifled a 421-foot homer in the fourth inning Thursday to give his team a 4-3 edge that the bullpen couldn't hold.

Riley feels Atlanta is flying under a National League radar heavily covered by the Los Angeles Dodgers with occasional New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies sightings on the horizon.

"Just stay healthy," he said of the team's main goal. "We've got the team. We've got the talent. It's a long season so we've just got to deal with the ebbs and flows of it. If we do that, we've got ourselves a chance."

--Field Level Media