Lineup, how to watch Max Fried and the Atlanta Braves square off against the Pittsburgh Pirates
It's no secret that Atlanta's not been the same team after the All-Star Break. Offensively and in the bullpen, they're remarkably similar, with the team's collective slash line after the All-Star Break (.274/.352/.528) actually being better than pre-ASB (.271/.338/.492), and the bullpen ERA being within a half-run of the early season numbers.
It's the starting pitching that's been worrisome - After Atlanta's starters put up a collective 3.77 ERA with an opponent's .694 OPS, those figures after the break are 5.92 for ERA and .761 in OPS.
Enter Max Fried, who is (hopefully) here to right that ship. After missing almost three months with a forearm strain, Fried gave Atlanta six scoreless innings with three hits, no walks, and eight strikeouts against the Cubs in his last game back off of the IL. Let's hope that trend not only continues, but rubs off on the rest of the staff.
Lineup for the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, August 9th
Here's how the Braves will line up for the contest:
Ronald Acuña Jr was forced to exit last night's game after being hit by a 97-mph fastball on the elbow, but he's back in the lineup in his customary leadoff spot and playing right field.
Sean Murphy is tonight's catcher, batting 5th, and Marcell Ozuna and Eddie Rosario bat 6th and 7th, respectively.
Pitching Matchup for the Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, August 9th
Lefty Max Fried is 3-1 with a 1.69 ERA in his 6 starts on the injury-interrupted 2023 season, striking out 33 in his 32 innings. He's 3-1 with a 5.20 ERA in five career starts against Pittsburgh, although he went 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA last season, striking out 15 and walking only one in his fourteen innings against the Pirates. There's not a lot of track record against Fried on their roster, although outfielder Jack Suwinski is 1-3 with a home run and an RBI against Max.
Starting for the Pirates is RHP Quinn Priester. Called up just this July, he's 2-1 with a 8.69 ERA in his four starts, striking out 16 in 19.2 innings. a 2019 1st rounder out of high school, Priester made 18 starts in AAA this season with a 4.31 ERA and 7-3 record prior to be calling up. He's only allowed three runs or less in one start this season, last time out against Milwaukee, and that was after being pulled after four innings.
How to Watch the Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, August 9th
First pitch is again scheduled for 7:05 PM ET from PNC Park. Tonight's broadcast is available inside Braves Country on Bally Sports South and on MLB.TV outside of the broadcast area. The radio call, with Ben Ingram, is available locally on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan or outside the Atlanta market on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network or MLB.com.
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