Atlanta Braves 2012 Schedule Released

The Atlanta Braves have released their 2012 season schedule, and interleague play provides some surprises. Atlanta will play six interleague series, at least one series against every American League East team, and they will play two series against the New York Yankees.

Their first interleague series is in Tampa against the Rays in mid-May, then from June 8th until the 24th the Braves play nothing but interleague games. The Blue Jays, Yankees, and Orioles will be a part of a nine game, ten day home stand, then Atlanta will go on the road for what will likely be a tough trip to New York to play the Yanks, then to Boston to close out interleague play with the Red Sox.

The Braves will open the season on April 5th against the Mets, in New York. MLB has still not learned to put early games in the warm weather stadiums. The Braves home opener is not until Friday the 13th of April against the Brewers. Atlanta will close out the season against the Pirates in Pittsburgh with a three game series at the beginning of October.

That interleague schedule is crazy, and will probably get some groans from a few Braves players. The Phillies, for instance, don't play the Yankees at all in interleague play, instead playing the Rays twice.