The Braves kick off a thin slate of games today at 12:15 pm ET. With a victory in the matinee to finish the homestand, they could:
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Reach win number 60 on the season
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Add another half game to their division lead (4 now after yesterday’s action concluded)
The decision to make or ruin the rest of our Thursday is in the hands of the following gentlemen:
No real surprises here, even though the Padres made a last-minute change to announce Kyle Hart as their starter. Another opener? You shouldn’t have. Previously announced SP Griffin Canning is likely to follow.
Drake Baldwin will catch for the third straight day and will keep the Ronald Acuña Jr. leadoff spot warm. Mike Yastrzemski, who served as the DH in his two games back from the IL, returns to right field and bat eighth as he seemingly does his rehab in the majors. Gwinnett’s too full of stars at the moment. Dominic Smith had a pinch-hit RBI last night and will start at DH today.
Baby Brave Jim Jarvis rounds out the bottom of the lineup as he continues his extended run at shortstop.
For the Padres, things look similar to last night other than Xander Bogaerts moving up a couple spots in the order to hit fifth given his history against Chris Sale. Freddy Fermin will catch, Gavin Sheets will DH, and Jake Cronenworth moves down to bat ninth, which again makes sense due to his 0-for-11 streak against Sale. Last night’s DH Luis Rengifo remains in the two-hole, but he’ll get the start in left field.
The Delta plane awaits to take the Braves up north to Baltimore and Queens – let’s make it a happy flight. First pitch is at 12:15 pm ET.
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