The Braves rolled out a playoff lineup that comes with a few head-turning choices for Game 1 of their three-game set against the Phillies.
At the top, the structure is less shocking than it first looks. The Braves did not go with Ronald Acuña Jr. to lead off even though the pitcher they’re facing throws left-handed. Instead, they opted to alternate handedness while keeping Matt Olson locked into the No. 3 spot.
That setup sends Mauricio Dubon into the cleanup role. Dubon finished the season with a 317 wOBA, .308 xwOBA and a 99 wRC+, and he posted an 84 wRC+ with a .290 xwOBA against southpaws. He did hit well in September, putting up a 131 wRC+, but he also outperformed his xwOBA by .064 that month.
Another notable wrinkle is Mike Yastrzemski starting at DH despite the left-handed starter on the mound. That suggests the Braves either expect Jesus Luzardo not to stay in long enough to reach the bottom of the order, or they’re worried about having enough right-handed options to shield Yastrzemski later if they start someone else there first. The club is not exactly overflowing with right-handed pinch-hit choices.
Dubon is in left field, while Ha-Seong Kim starts at shortstop. Because the Braves are carrying both Rowdy Tellez and Dominic Smith, they have the flexibility to pinch-hit for Kim early if they want and slide Dubon over to shortstop.
Still, the bigger question is whether the Braves’ actual impact bats can do damage against Luzardo and whatever follows him. From Dubon on down, only Michael Harris II has really produced at the plate this year.
Harris has been excellent, though with a strange offensive profile marked by strong bookend months and a lot of luck in between. If the lower half keeps struggling, the Braves will be waiting on their mashers to deliver.
The Phillies answered with a lineup of their own, and Luis Arraez’s injury opens the door for another right-handed bat. Chief Ivan Annoyer Derek Hill is batting fifth, former Brave and famed horse armor aficionado Bryan De La Cruz is sixth, and Edmundo Sosa is sitting in the eight hole, where he’ll probably be a nuisance for Chris Sale and everyone else.
Batter-versus-pitcher numbers against Luzardo are tough to lean on without knowing how long he’ll actually pitch, but the matchup data against Sale is at least something to chew on. The numbers are mostly ordinary. Alec Bohm has been a little fortunate, while Sale has handled most of the lighter bats, with Derek Hill standing out as the exception in seven plate appearances.
Taken together, those head-to-head numbers point to a .258 wOBA and .279 xwOBA. That leaves the Phillies trying to manage the damage from Bohm, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber while avoiding a slide into the Derek Hill part of the order.
But in a game like this, the lineups are only part of the puzzle. The real mystery is whether Dubon at cleanup turns into a storyline or just another odd October wrinkle.
In Other News...
Braves Wild Card Roster Includes Two Surprise Bench Decisions
The Braves Wild Card roster brought a couple of notable bench choices into focus as Atlanta set up for the 2026 NL opener. Non-roster infielders Rowdy Tellez and Luke Williams both made the cut after being in the organization before Sept. 1, giving the club additional infield flexibility and some extra matchup options if the games get tight late.
Atlanta also made corresponding roster moves to clear the way, with right-hander Ricky Vanasco designated for assignment and Elieser Hernndez removed from the 40-man roster. The Braves are carrying 11 pitchers for the round, which leaves the bench built around versatility as much as depth, a sign the team is preparing for a short series where one pinch-hit decision can matter just as much as a bullpen call. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Could Get An Early Phillies Test From A Risky Game 1 Plan
The Phillies have already locked up a postseason berth, but their Game 1 Wild Card pitching plan suggests they are willing to get creative right away. According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Philadelphia is planning to use Jesus Luzardo as an opener, with Andrew Painter following out of the bullpen, a move that reflects how carefully the club is trying to manage its arms as October begins.
For Atlanta, the setup matters because it could create an early look at a Phillies staff that is being handled with some flexibility and risk. Luzardo is returning from the injured list, which makes the opener idea a little more volatile, and Painter could wind up in a bulk relief role after those first innings. The result is a Game 1 approach that may not look conventional, but it could shape how the Braves would have to attack Philadelphia if the matchup comes together. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Flipped Game 1 Late In A Win Fans Will Debate
For most of Game 1, the Braves and Phillies traded the kind of October blows that can swing a short series before the first night is even over. Philadelphia got the first big hit from Alec Bohm, then the Braves answered through Ozzie Albies, whose RBI triple briefly put Atlanta in front and set up a tense finish that felt every bit like postseason baseball.
JT Realmutos two-run triple pushed the Phillies back ahead, but Atlanta never let the game slip away for long. Austin Riley changed the tone in the eighth with a go-ahead homer that sent the Braves to a 5-3 win, leaving both sides with plenty to unpack after a opener that had momentum shifting almost every inning. [Read more 🡒]