Jonah Heim and Eli White get the start as Braves seek series win against Detroit

TL;DR

The Atlanta Braves, with a record of 21-9, aim for their ninth consecutive win against the Detroit Tigers tonight. Jonah Heim and Eli White are starting as the Braves look to maintain their strong season performance.

Key points

Braves have a 21-9 record, their best start since 2000
Atlanta has won nine straight games against Detroit
Jonah Heim and Eli White are starting for the Braves

Atlanta BravesDetroit Tigers

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 18: Jonah Heim #20 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after sliding safely into second after hitting a double against the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park on April 18, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Heather Barry/Getty Images) | Getty Images At 21-9, the Atlanta Braves are off to their hottest start to the season since 2000. It seems like we’re hearing a new and fantastical stat about how Good The Vibes Are Right Now at a clip not seen since the history-making offense of 2023. Here’s some more fun numbers as we go into game 2 tonight: with last night’s win (on Snoopy night!), the Braves have won nine straight games versus Detroit dating back to 2023 and extended the longest active winning streak versus the Tigers in baseball. Even wilder, you have to go back to 2013 for the last time Atlanta has dropped a series to Detroit. Let’s keep a good thing going tonight, shall we? Drake Baldwin will DH while Jonah Heim is behind the plate as the battery mate for JR Ritchie. As we noted in the preview, Heim has the most ABs against and is 3-for-16. Maybe he’ll be a difference-maker in the nine hole. Leadoff man may be heating up… it’d be great if the two XBH from last night got him going. moves up to fifth, followed by . People are being quick to attribute ’s less-hot-than-we’ve-seen-lately night at the plate yesterday to his return to CF, but he was still 1-for-4. He’ll bat seventh tonight. will bat eighth and hopefully have a completely routine and normal night in left field. The lineup for Tarik Skubal’s Tigers looks a little different. Rookie Kevin McGonigle will lead off. remains in the two hole, but will be followed by 3B . moves up a spot to bat cleanup. is still catching and batting fifth. New face enters the lineup to play right field. With the unfortunate injury to , the Tigers will have Wenceel Pérez (of preventing-last-night’s-shutout fame) in center field and batting eighth. A ninth series win for the Braves before the calendar flips to May would be pretty sweet. First pitch is at 7:15 pm ET.

Q&A

What is the current record of the Atlanta Braves?

The Atlanta Braves currently have a record of 21-9.

When is the Braves vs. Tigers game scheduled?

The Braves vs. Tigers game is scheduled for 7:15 PM ET.

Who are the starting players for the Braves against the Tigers?

Jonah Heim will catch, and Eli White will play left field for the Braves.