The Braves kicked off their season with a commanding 6-0 win over the Royals, and as they gear up for Game Two, we're seeing a few strategic adjustments in their lineup. Mike Yastrzemski is stepping into left field and will bat fifth, while Dominic Smith takes on the designated hitter role, batting eighth.
On the Royals' side, the lineup remains largely unchanged, with Kyle Isbel and Jac Caglianone now covering the outfield. This shift comes after Starling Marte and Lane Thomas started on Opening Day against the Braves' lefty Chris Sale.
So, while both teams are making a couple of swaps, the core of their lineups remains the same, ready to face off once more.
Now, let's dive into the matchups.
Michael Wacha is a seasoned veteran, but this Braves lineup hasn't faced him much, totaling just 44 plate appearances across six batters. Ozzie Albies and Mike Yastrzemski have the most experience with 11 and 10 PAs, respectively. In limited action, Austin Riley, Matt Olson, and Mauricio Dubon have found success against Wacha, while Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr. have had less luck.
For the Royals, their familiarity with Reynaldo Lopez is similar, with 42 plate appearances. Salvador Perez has the most history with Lopez, having faced him frequently in the AL Central.
Despite a .380 expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) against Lopez, Perez's actual wOBA sits at .290. The rest of the lineup hasn't faced Lopez enough to draw any significant conclusions.
The first pitch is set for 7:15 pm EDT, and both teams are poised to put on another exciting show.