Opening Day at Petco: Padres face Braves, Profar returns

• Right-handed pitcher Michael King is starting for the Padres, while veteran lefty Chris Sale takes the hill for the Braves.
• Gates open at 11am, but the team is advising fans to be in their seats by 12:30 to see the pregame ceremony.

Driving the news: MTS is increasing service on the Trolley before and after games throughout opening weekend and heavy traffic is expected from the near-sellout crowds.

• The East Village Block Party celebrating opening weekend is on Saturday, from 10am to 4:30pm in front of the ballpark, on J Street from 6th to 10th avenues.
• It'll include a car show, family-friendly activities and live music.

Flashback: The Padres ended the Braves season last year, knocking them out of the Wild Card round of the playoffs before falling to the Dodgers in the NL Division Series.

The intrigue: Jurickson Profar, whose career year last year was a key piece of the Padres' reaching 93 wins, cashed in with a 3-year, $42 million deal with the Braves.

My thought bubble: Profar is expected to lead off for the Braves, meaning he'll be the first player to the plate Thursday.

• That'll give him plenty of time for a warm standing ovation from the Petco crowd.