This is an important weekend of games for the Atlanta Braves, who can clinch a playoff spot with a win (or Diamondbacks loss) on Friday night. A win would also trim the magic number to clinch the National League East to four (or even three) pending what the Phillies do at Citi Field on Friday night. Following a frustrating series loss in Chicago to the Cubs, the Braves will turn to deadline acquisition Tyler Mahle to right the ship.
In the series opener, manager Walt Weiss is sending out his usual
cast of characters to face Astros righty Peter Lambert. Drake Baldwin is leading off and playing DH, Sean Murphy is catching and batting ninth, and Mauricio Dubon, who the Braves acquired from the Astros last November, is batting fifth behind Baldwin, Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson and Michael Harris.
Lambert has been on quite the run for Houston, allowing two runs or fewer in all but one start since the beginning of July.
Here’s the full lineup for Friday night:
As for the Astros, AL MVP frontrunner Yordan Alvarez is in his customary No. 2 spot in the order. Jeremy Peña leads off, the dangerous Isaac Paredes hits third, and buzzer boy himself Jose Altuve bats cleanup.
First pitch tonight is set for 8:10 p.m. ET.
