The Atlanta Braves are looking to complete the sweep over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
After winning a wild one in extra innings on Saturday night, the Atlanta Braves are in position to sweep the Houston Astros on Sunday afternoon.
Atlanta has been on an absolute tear since dropping four of five in Queens to the New York Mets. Since that abysmal series, the Braves have swept the Boston Red Sox, the Miami Marlins, took three out of four from the Mets and the first two over Houston, making them winners in 11 of their last 12 games. Atlanta finds itself only three games back from the Mets in the NL East race.
Here is what Brian Snitker could decide to do when submitting his final lineup card for the series.
Atlanta Braves projected starting lineup vs. Houston Astros (Aug. 21)
This all really depends on who will be catching behind the plate between Travis d’Arnaud and William Contreras, as well as if Ronald Acuña Jr. gets the start in right field. Snitker has plenty of options, as he tries to put together a lineup to beat Jose Urquidy with Charlie Morton on the mound for the Braves. Since Contreras caught last night, here is what Snitker may be going with.
- RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
- SS Dansby Swanson
- 3B Austin Riley
- 1B Matt Olson
- C Travis d’Arnaud
- LF Eddie Rosario
- 2B Vaughn Grissom
- CF Michael Harris II
- DH Robbie Grossman
Morton gets the start against his former team in the series finale for the hometown Braves.
Acuña will lead off whether he is playing right field or serving as the designated hitter. Should he have an off-day, look for Dansby Swanson to bat lead-off instead of his usual second. Either Vaughn Grissom or maybe even Robbie Grossman would hit second if Swanson leads off. Austin Riley and Matt Olson will be hitting third and fourth, as if there was any debate on the matter.
Either d’Arnaud or Contreras will hit fifth, possibly sixth if Snitker wants to go back-to-back left-handed bats with Olson and Eddie Rosario. Grissom, Michael Harris II and Grossman probably round out the bottom of the order. While Guillermo Heredia could get a start to throw a wrench into everything, Snitker cannot possibly start Marcell Ozuna after getting benched and his DUI.
It is getaway day for the Braves, as they will make their lone to Pittsburgh to play the Pirates.