The lineups are out for tonight’s game between the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs and I’d imagine that the headline itself probably answered the main question that’s been on everybody’s mind since last night’s series finale in New York.
So let’s stop beating around the bush and talk about Atlanta’s lineup for tonight, shall we?
Yep. Austin Riley is indeed out for tonight’s game and Zack Short will be playing third and batting ninth in his first start since May 5, which is when he was a member of the Boston Red Sox. Short isn’t exactly known for his bat, as he’ll be entering this game with a career slash line of .169/.266/.299 with a career .252 wOBA and 57 wRC+. The good news is that Braves beat writer Mark Bowman tweeted that the feeling around the Braves is that simply resting for a bit should help Riley and that an IL stint may not be needed. Here’s hoping that that’s the case and we’ll see Riley back in the lineup sooner rather than later.
Marcell Ozuna is now batting third, which seems like a solid choice given that he’s been doing a great job at the plate so far this season.
For the Cubs, Cody Bellinger will get the start in center field and hit third. Nico Hoerner will be at shortstop with Dansby Swanson sidelined. Hoerner is hitting sixth.
