The Braves’ lineup is looking a little ragged, as the absences of Austin Riley and Travis d’Arnaud have created a situation where Orlando Arcia is hitting fifth and Zack Short is hitting seventh.
Arcia hasn’t hit fifth for the Braves since 2021 and has an absolutely dreadful xwOBA and approach this year, but the Braves are opting to maintain alternating handedness, and honestly, with most of the guys in the latter half of the lineup, it’s hard to blame them. It’s just a shame it’s come down to this.
For what it’s worth, Austin Riley did engage in some fielding drills today, so maybe his return is imminent. The Braves definitely aren’t treating the situation as one warranting any urgency, and that’s wholly understandable at this point.
The Padres are countering with pretty much the same lineup as yesterday, except that Luis Campusano will start at catcher and hit eighth, in lieu of yesterday’s starter Kyle Higashioka hitting ninth.
