Ronald Acuña Jr. is back where Atlanta wants him most: at the top of the order.
The Braves have turned to Acuña in the leadoff spot for tonight’s series finale against the Mets, and he’ll also slide back into right field after serving as the designated hitter last night. Walt Weiss’ lineup also gives Drake Baldwin the day off behind the plate, with Sean Murphy catching Tyler Mahle and batting ninth.
Atlanta is trying to finish this one with a series win after dropping the season set to New York and coming off the series loss in the Bronx. The lineup has a familiar look, with Matt Olson hitting third and carrying the chance to break the current four-way tie for the league home run lead with a couple more of his patented moonshots. Ozzie Albies follows in the cleanup spot, with Michael Harris II right behind him.
Mauricio Dubón gets the start at shortstop and hits sixth, while Lane Thomas is in left field and batting seventh against Mets starter Zac Thornton. Austin Riley is in the eighth spot.
New York is countering with a lineup that keeps last night’s catcher in the DH role. Francisco Alvarez stays in the seven-hole, while the top of the order remains the same with AJ Ewing in left field, Francisco Lindor at shortstop and Bo Bichette at third base.
The Mets are making a few other changes around them. Carson Benge moves up to cleanup after swapping places with Luis Robert Jr., and Jared Young and Brett Baty are starting at first and second base, respectively. Luis Torrens will catch Thornton and bat ninth.
In Other News...
Braves Postseason Pitching Picture Just Took A Complicated Turn
The Braves pitching depth is getting a late-season shuffle at a time when every available arm matters. Robert Suarez is set to start throwing again after being sidelined since late June, giving Atlanta at least a chance to get him back before the regular season ends and potentially add another experienced option to a staff that will need all the help it can get in October.
Spencer Schwellenbach, though, remains stuck in a tougher spot. He is still dealing with discomfort in bullpen work and has not been cleared to face live hitters, leaving his timeline murky and making a 2026 return look unlikely. With those uncertainties hanging over the rotation and bullpen, the Braves are leaning on others such as Tyler Mahle to keep the pitching picture steady as the postseason approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Bench Debate Gets Tougher After Jorge Mateos Next Move
The Braves roster chatter around the bench got a little more interesting with Jorge Mateo now on a minor-league deal with the Rays after spending part of this season in Atlanta. Mateo appeared in 65 games for the Braves and gave them a useful burst early, batting .240 with four home runs and a .665 OPS, but his production tailed off sharply after June 2 and left the club weighing what kind of value he could still provide in a crowded mix.
For Atlanta, the move adds another layer to an already tricky bench conversation. Mateo had been part of the broader evaluation of reserve options, and his departure only sharpens the question of which players can offer real stability and which ones are more about short-term fit. The Braves have a few decisions to sort through, and Mateos next stop makes clear that the clubs search for dependable depth is still very much ongoing. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Have Two Reasons For Hope And One Serious Concern
Austin Riley has given the Braves a much-needed lift since the All-Star break, looking far more like the middle-of-the-order bat they need as the stretch run tightens. Hitting nearly .300 with an .891 OPS in that span, Rileys surge has helped balance an offense that has been looking for consistent production, while the rotation has also started to show signs of settling in behind recent strong outings from Martin Prez, Tyler Mahle, Grant Holmes and AJ Smith-Shawver.
The concern comes at the back end of games, where Raisel Iglesias has not been as dependable since June 9. His 4.88 ERA over that stretch, along with the home runs he has allowed, has raised some obvious unease for a club that needs cleaner finishes if it is going to turn the corner. The Braves still have reason to feel better about the overall shape of their roster, but the ninth inning remains the spot most likely to decide whether that optimism sticks. [Read more 🡒]