Atlanta Braves right-hander Julio Teheran is set to make his sixth consecutive Opening Day start, which would tie him with Hall of Famer Warren Spahn for the longest modern-day streak in franchise history.
Spahn opened six seasons in a row from 1957 to 1962, when the team was in Milwaukee.
Atlanta’s Mike Foltynewicz, a 2018 All-Star, would likely have been the choice for Opening Day, but his throwing program has been set back this spring because of elbow soreness. Teheran got the nod over left-hander Sean Newcomb for the March 28 opener against visiting Philadelphia.
Teheran, 28, has spent all eight of his major league seasons with the Braves, compiling a 67-62 record with a 3.64 ERA. Teheran went 9-9 last season with a 3.94 ERA, striking out 162 and walking 84 in 175 2/3 innings over 31 starts.
Teheran was an All-Star in 2014 and 2016. The Braves are 2-3 when he starts on Opening Day.