Texas
Braves Shuffle Lineup for Series Opener versus Texas Rangers
For the Atlanta Braves, it’s good to be home…right?
The Braves just wrapped up a two-city road trip, visiting Miami and Houston, where they went 5-1 against the Marlins and Astros to maintain their MLB-best winning percentage, currently at .706 (12-5 record).
But despite the road success, where Atlanta is now 8-3 on the year, they’re undoubtedly happy to get to play in front of the fans at Truist Park, where they’ve been one of the best teams for attendance (as measured by percentage of capacity) in 2024. They’re hoping to continue that trend this weekend against the Texas Rangers, who send Andrew Heaney to the Truist Park mound tonight in a battle of lefty veterans, as Atlanta’s countering with Chris Sale.
Lineups for the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers on Friday, April 19th
Here’s how Atlanta will line up for the contest:
RF Ronald Acuña Jr
SS Orlando Arcia
3B Austin Riley
1B Matt Olson
DH Marcell Ozuna
LF Adam Duvall
CF Michael Harris II
C Travis d’Arnaud
2B David Fletcher
Sale’s acquitted himself nicely to Atlanta, showcasing revitalized stuff and health. In his three starts this season, the lefty is 1-1 with a 4.58 ERA, owing to getting roughed up by the Miami Marlins last time out – five runs on six hits in seven innings, with three walks (and seven strikeouts). But Sale’s hoping for a rebound against a Rangers lineup that’s mostly not seen him yet – of the active roster, only second baseman Marcus Semien has more than three at-bats against Sale and he’s only 2-15, albeit with both of those hits being homers.
Here’s the Rangers lineup:
2B Marcus Semien
SS Corey Seager
LF Wyatt Langford
RF Adolis García
C Jonah Heim
1B Ezequiel Duran
3B Josh Smith
DH Davis Wendzel
CF Leody Taveras
For the 32-year-old Heaney, it’s only the second time in his eleven-year career he’s facing the Braves. But two Braves hitters have seen him plenty, with Jarred Kelenic being 3-9 with an RBI and Matt Olson going 5-15 with two RBIs off the lefty starter.
How to Watch the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers on Friday, April 19th
Today’s series finale is scheduled for a 7:20 PM ET first pitch. The only game broadcast for either team is on Apple TV+, although that does mean you can choose the radio broadcast for either team as your audio commentary for the game.
For those without Apple TV+, the Rangers radio broadcast is available on 105.3 The Fan and Le Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM, while the Atlanta Braves Radio Network has the standard broadcast on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan and affiliates across Braves Country.
The Texas Longhorns entered the 2025 season with more expectations than any team has had to deal with in recent memory.
Many among the media were ready to crown the team and quarterback Arch Manning before they even played one game. Of course, those unrealistic expectations were never met, even though the team finished with a 10-3 record and a Citrus Bowl win over the Michigan Wolverines.
2026 is heading in the same direction for the Longhorns. Many believe head coach Steve Sarkisian has the most talented team in the country. But in order to fix the issues from this past season, the Longhorns needed to fix one issue that has cost them in the past.
Changing The Narrative
One of the biggest issues the Longhorns had last season was the play of the offensive line. It was apparent in the first game of the season against the Ohio State Buckeyes that Manning didn’t have the pocket time needed to make big plays.
This offseason, Coach Sarkisian went out and found two massive transfer portal additions that should completely change the narrative on this offensive line.
It starts with potential starting right tackle Melvin Siani. Siani has spent time with the Temple Owls and last season with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
The Longhorns are set at left tackle with Trevor Goosby, who could play himself into being a top 10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. If the team can get competent play from Siani, the offense will be able to open up the playbook, and the world may finally see Manning at his college peak.
The Longhorns also went out and found a potential fix at left guard for the 2026 season. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers transfer Laurence Seymore could be another strong patch for the holes in the offensive line.
After spending the first two seasons of his college career with the Miami Hurricanes, Seymore made stops with the Akron Zips and the Hilltoppers.
Of course, the one concern with Seymore is wondering if he can compete at the SEC level coming from the C-USA.
This season for the Longhorns starts and stops with the play of Manning. Coach Sarkisian and the rest of this coaching staff understood that protecting their quarterback was the most important goal when building the 2026 roster.
The Longhorns are going to be leaning on veteran talent to protect their quarterback, and it may very well be the best decision they made this offseason.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest news.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico promise to serve all in El Paso
U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico discusses key public issues in Texas during the first stop of his Frontera Tour July 11, 2026 in El Paso.
The two candidates vying for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas are making stops across the Lone Star State this week.
Democrat James Talarico and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will head to South Texas as the two go head-to-head in the Nov. 3 General Election to replace U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Cornyn lost his reelection bid to Paxton in the Republican Primary Election.
The campaign tour continues for Talarico after hosting townhalls in El Paso and Marfa as part of his “Frontera Tour,” while Paxton is holding a “Rally in the Valley” in McAllen.
Here’s where the candidates will be in Texas.
Paxton heads to McAllen for ‘Rally in the Valley’
Paxton is heading to McAllen for his “Rally in the Valley” event at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14. He’ll be joined by National Border Security Council President Paul Perez, TX-28 Nominee Tano Tijerina, and TX-34 Nominee Eric Flores.
The all-ages event will take place at University Draft House Townlake McAllen, 100 West Business 83, and spots can be reserved at eventbrite.com.
Talarico to visit Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Laredo
Talarico continues his “Frontera” tour with a stop in Del Rio on Monday, July 14.
“Gather with your family, friends, and neighbors to hear from James about taking his fight against Big Money and corruption to Washington. Together, we can win back power for working people in a system that’s rigged for the ultra-wealthy,” the event page states, adding that the program will be short and voters can greet Talarico after.
Here are the stops on Talarico’s “Frontera” tour:
Monday, July 13:
- 3 p.m. Memo’s Restaurant, 804 E Losoya St. in Del Rio
- 7 p.m. International Center For Trade, 3295 Bob Rogers Drive in Eagle Pass
Tuesday, July 14:
- 6 p.m. La Posada – San Agustin Ballroom, 1000 Zaragoza St. 107 in Laredo
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
-
Vermont13 seconds agoSevere Thunderstorm Watch in effect for Vermont, New York & New Hampshire Tuesday night
-
Virginia6 minutes agoDragas responds to accusations of having unfair advantage in quest to buy VB National
-
Wisconsin18 minutes agoWisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for July 14, 2026
-
West Virginia24 minutes agoBelle residents learn about, discuss proposed Clean-Seas plastic repurposing plant – WV MetroNews
-
Wyoming30 minutes agoSix cases of measles confirmed by Wyoming Department of Health
-
Crypto36 minutes agoProposed cryptocurrency mining facility under review in Starkville
-
Finance42 minutes agoThe average cost of fertility treatments and how to plan for them
-
Fitness48 minutes ago
‘The pants don’t lie’: Lenny Kravitz’s bizarre workout trick
