<img alt="MLB: Atlanta Braves at Minnesota Twins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QWRumS2qyGrNBm7o4t_Kn3MA4N8=/0x0:2738x1825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73566379/usa_today_24100301.0.jpg">
Luke Williams gets the start tonight | Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Ramón Laureano is back in LF, and Luke Williams is back at 2B The Atlanta Braves come into this game against the Rockies looking to secure a sweep after losing two of three against them in early August.
The pitching failed in the early August series giving up twenty-three runs in only three games, but the offense did well scoring twenty-four runs. This series is almost the polar opposite so far. In two games, the pitching has been phenomenal for Braves, only allowing two runs. The offense has gotten the job done, but eight total runs is far fewer than what was scored in August.
The Braves have already faced both a lefty and a righty SP so far this series and will be facing another LHP in Austin Gomber.
The biggest question mark for most of the Braves’ lineups is who will be in the outfield. The last time a LHP started, the Braves had an outfield of Soler in RF, Harris in CF, and Laureano in LF. Laureano had a single and a walk in game against the lefty Kyle Freeland. Laureano has done well against lefties this season with an OPS of .911 against them. Adam Duvall has struggled mightily this season, but it has largely been because he has faced far more righties than he should have. He actually has done well against lefties himself with a .871 OPS against them. Duvall has not started a game since August 22nd, and has not started the past few games against lefties, so even before the lineup dropped it seemed as though Laureano would get the nod. It also does not help Duvall’s chances that he has seen Gomber in seven at-bats and has yet to get on base.
The other question mark was if Whit Merrifield would be back in action after the scary HBP to the head. He has seen Gomber more than anyone else on the Braves with ten at-bats, and has a .300 average, and .900 OPS.
With the lineup dropped, we have answers to our questions. Unfortunately, Merrifield is still out. Luke Williams will stay in at 2B. Laureano will indeed man LF.
Gettin' after it.#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/T19nb9wsUc— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 5, 2024
Jorge Soler has seen Gomber the second most times with eight at-bats and has been successful with two HRs, .375 average, and 1.625 OPS. No other player on the Braves has more than seven at-bats against Gomber, so it is hard to get an idea of how well this lineup matches up against Gomber specifically.
The Rockies only have four players who have faced Reynaldo López before. Other than Jake Cave, the other three (Stallings, Toglia, and Jones) are hitless, but have two or less at-bats against him. Cave, on the other hand, has seen solid success over thirteen at-bats against López with two HRs, .385 average, and a 1.352 OPS. Fortunately for López, his potential brewing rivalry is on hold as Jake Cave is not in the lineup this evening.
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LlD7P9BBeB_68Xuu79AFVvu_2y8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25605861/Capture1.PNG">
Rockies’ lineup
The Rockies have struggled over the past month scoring runs. They have scored the eighth fewest runs in MLB and have the third lowest wRC+ in MLB over the past month worth of games.
On paper, the Braves have the advantage. Time will tell the outcome.
First pitch is at 7:20 ET.
<img alt="MLB: Atlanta Braves at Minnesota Twins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QWRumS2qyGrNBm7o4t_Kn3MA4N8=/0x0:2738x1825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73566379/usa_today_24100301.0.jpg">
Luke Williams gets the start tonight | Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Ramón Laureano is back in LF, and Luke Williams is back at 2B The Atlanta Braves come into this game against the Rockies looking to secure a sweep after losing two of three against them in early August.
The pitching failed in the early August series giving up twenty-three runs in only three games, but the offense did well scoring twenty-four runs. This series is almost the polar opposite so far. In two games, the pitching has been phenomenal for Braves, only allowing two runs. The offense has gotten the job done, but eight total runs is far fewer than what was scored in August.
The Braves have already faced both a lefty and a righty SP so far this series and will be facing another LHP in Austin Gomber.
The biggest question mark for most of the Braves’ lineups is who will be in the outfield. The last time a LHP started, the Braves had an outfield of Soler in RF, Harris in CF, and Laureano in LF. Laureano had a single and a walk in game against the lefty Kyle Freeland. Laureano has done well against lefties this season with an OPS of .911 against them. Adam Duvall has struggled mightily this season, but it has largely been because he has faced far more righties than he should have. He actually has done well against lefties himself with a .871 OPS against them. Duvall has not started a game since August 22nd, and has not started the past few games against lefties, so even before the lineup dropped it seemed as though Laureano would get the nod. It also does not help Duvall’s chances that he has seen Gomber in seven at-bats and has yet to get on base.
The other question mark was if Whit Merrifield would be back in action after the scary HBP to the head. He has seen Gomber more than anyone else on the Braves with ten at-bats, and has a .300 average, and .900 OPS.
With the lineup dropped, we have answers to our questions. Unfortunately, Merrifield is still out. Luke Williams will stay in at 2B. Laureano will indeed man LF.
Gettin' after it.#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/T19nb9wsUc— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 5, 2024
Jorge Soler has seen Gomber the second most times with eight at-bats and has been successful with two HRs, .375 average, and 1.625 OPS. No other player on the Braves has more than seven at-bats against Gomber, so it is hard to get an idea of how well this lineup matches up against Gomber specifically.
The Rockies only have four players who have faced Reynaldo López before. Other than Jake Cave, the other three (Stallings, Toglia, and Jones) are hitless, but have two or less at-bats against him. Cave, on the other hand, has seen solid success over thirteen at-bats against López with two HRs, .385 average, and a 1.352 OPS. Fortunately for López, his potential brewing rivalry is on hold as Jake Cave is not in the lineup this evening.
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LlD7P9BBeB_68Xuu79AFVvu_2y8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25605861/Capture1.PNG">
Rockies’ lineup
The Rockies have struggled over the past month scoring runs. They have scored the eighth fewest runs in MLB and have the third lowest wRC+ in MLB over the past month worth of games.
On paper, the Braves have the advantage. Time will tell the outcome.
First pitch is at 7:20 ET.
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