After ending yesterday’s game against the Chicago Cubs with a one-hitter, the Atlanta Braves are looking to secure an early series win and a whole new offensive plan with rookie JR Ritchie on the mound. Let’s look at who we have.
The one question that’s been surfacing is, “Where’s Dominic Smith on the starting lineup?”
With Ronald Acuña Jr. still absent, Manager Walt Weiss has been making a few adjustments to right field, and so far, it’s been working. That doesn’t mean, however, Braves Country isn’t missing their new heavy-hitter on the starting roster, especially since he’s been consistently producing results.
Regardless, the Braves lineup consists of Mauricio Dubón batting leadoff. Sandy León is set to take over the catching spot as Drake Baldwin occupies DH in the two-hole.
Both Dubón and León will be facing Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga for the first time, while four member of the Braves’ offense (Ozzie Albies, José Azocar, Baldwin and Matt Olson) all averaging over a 1.000 OPS against the lefty.
The remainder of the lineup is identical to yesterday’s, with a few slight changes in order due to the shift in leadoff.
Though pulling off a win in yesterday’s matchup, the offense is looking to make a bigger impact on a team that’s also leading their division and known to get hot at the right times. To avoid a revenge run from the hot Cubs, they’ll have to establish their runs early to rattle Imanaga and impact their bats.
As for Acuña, he is set to continue running drills at Truist to test his hamstring, according to Braves insider Grant McAuley, and will be on standby for a return date.
First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m EST tonight.
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