Today could be the start of a beginning for the Atlanta Braves, as this game will close out the first half of the season before going into the All-Star break. JR Ritchie was originally set to take the mound today, but Danny Young (2.70 ERA) was just recently added in to replace him at the last minute. And we have a few roster adjustments made to close out the series against the St. Luis Cardinals.
Drake Baldwin will be leading off, moving Michael Harris II down to the fourth batting spot. Brewer Hicklen
(.398 OPS) will be taking over right field and batting ninth. Jim Jarvis is back to occupy shortstop, while Dominic Smith will be batting sixth as the designated hitter for the day.
Jarvis, Austin Riley and Smith all average above a 2.000 OPS and .500-plus batting average against Cardinals’ Dustin May, and with his recent on-and-off-again struggles to retire his opponents early while landing his pitches in the zone, this could work in the Braves’ favor if their bats decide to wake up today.
This was already expected to be an unexpected matchup with Ritchie on the mound, but with a late scratch and adding Young, who has only pitched four games this season, with one loss attributed to him, it’s even more of a toss-up.
The Braves are looking to avoid a sweep and end on a high note despite the series’ loss, and the Cardinals are looking for their first sweep since the beginning of June.
First pitch is set for 2:15 p.m. EDT.
