There are a number of changes to the Braves’ lineup as they face their first right-handed pitcher of the Red Sox series in Sunday’s finale.
Most notably, the Braves are giving their top two shortstop options in Mauricio Dubon and Ha-Seong Kim the day off, starting Jorge Mateo at short and seventh in the lineup.
Dubon has started 43 of the team’s first 46 games at a variety of positions, becoming a regular outfielder with Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuña Jr. battling injuries early this season. Kim
returned Tuesday from the finger injury which forced him to start the season on the injured list, but is 1-for-17 (.059) in his first five games of the season.
It bears mentioning given how liberally Walt Weiss has used his bench that it’s entirely possible one or both is utilized in a key at-bat or as a defensive replacement on Sunday.
Additionally, Dominic Smith is the designated hitter and hitting sixth, Mike Yastrzemski (who has five RBIs this week after he had six in his first 38 games) is in right field and hitting eighth. Jose Azocar moves to left field to replace Dubon and will hit ninth after his two-double performance in Saturday’s 3-2 loss.
No Braves hitter has faced Red Sox starter Brayan Bello (2-4, 6.46 ERA) more than nine times. Austin Riley has faced him the most and is 5-for-9 (.556) against him with an RBI. Drake Baldwin (2-for-3) and Dubon (3-for-5, three doubles) have also had success against Bello in limited sample sizes. Ozzie Albies is just 1-for-7 (.143) against Bello but has the Braves’ only homer and four RBIs.
Overall, Braves hitters are 18-for-58 (.310) against Bello with six doubles, seven RBIs and 11 strikeouts against four walks.
The Red Sox are running back a similar lineup for Sunday’s series finale. Mickey Gasper is DHing once more after doing so Friday but still hitting second, with Carlos Narvaez replacing him behind the plate and hitting eighth. Nick Sogard also replaces Caleb Durbin at third base, keeping his ninth spot in the Boston lineup.
No Red Sox hitter has faced Braves starter Grant Holmes (2-1, 4.35 ERA) more than six times. Jarren Duran is 1-for-6 (.167) but has the team’s lone homer off the righty. Saturday’s hero Willson Contreras is the only Boston hitter with multiple hits off Holmes (2-for-5).
Overall, members of the Red Sox lineup are a combined 4-for-29 (.138) against Holmes with three RBIs, 10 strikeouts and three walks.
