As the Atlanta Braves prepared to face the San Francisco Giants in the final game of a four-game series, aiming for a sweep, the team received worrying news: 32-year-old Jorge Soler has been left out of the starting lineup, seemingly due to a hamstring issue. This injury update has raised concerns, especially as Soler has been a key contributor to the Braves’ offense.
The Braves’ offense has been on fire during this series, with yesterday’s game standing out as they blasted four home runs, including a grand slam from Michael Harris. With Harris back in the lineup, the Braves are hoping their outfield configuration will remain successful in the coming weeks. Ideally, a fully healthy outfield would feature Jorge Soler, Michael Harris, and Jarred Kelenic against right-handed pitchers, with Adam Duvall slotting in against lefties.
However, with Soler out, the Braves have made some adjustments. Michael Harris, who has been hitting exceptionally well, will move up to the leadoff spot. Jarred Kelenic will start in left field, and Ramón Laureano will cover right field. These moves are partly based on past performances, with Kelenic having a solid track record against Giants’ starter Logan Webb, boasting a .333 average and an .833 OPS in limited at-bats.
Other decisions in the lineup include Travis d’Arnaud starting behind the plate instead of Sean Murphy, who homered in the previous game but has struggled against Webb with a .143 average. d’Arnaud, while also not thriving against Webb, has been chosen to give the Braves a different look.
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While the Braves have enjoyed success against Webb, the absence of Soler is a significant loss, especially considering his impact on the team’s recent performances. The Braves will have to rely on other players to step up as they aim to close out the series on a high note.
The decision to start Mark Canha over LaMonte Wade Jr. is another strategic move by Snitker, given Canha’s strong history against Braves’ ace Max Fried. Canha’s 1.171 OPS against Fried stands out, making him a key player for the Giants in tonight’s matchup.
As the game approaches, all eyes will be on how the Braves adapt to these lineup changes and whether they can maintain their offensive momentum without Soler in the lineup.
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