​If a loss happens on Apple TV after midnight, did it really happen at all? Walt Weiss’s bullpen choices are stubbornly unpredictable, yet the lineup you’re likely to see tonight feels largely predictable. For this matchup, he’s sticking with the same 1-5 order as last night. Drake Baldwin remains in the cleanup spot, but this time he will serve as the designated hitter. Joey Bart—the only Brave to homer off Matthew Liberatore in seven plate appearances—will catch for Reynaldo López and bat eighth. Austin Riley moves up one spot to sixth in the lineup. Jorge Mateo gets the start over Jim Jarvis in the nine-hole and at shortstop.
Mike Yastrzemski was set to sit against the left-handed Liberatore anyway, with Eli White stepping in, but Yaz has been swinging the bat well in July. Unfortunately, the baseball gods have come to collect. His left elbow inflammation has landed him on the injured list, contributing to a cascade of roster moves announced this afternoon. TL;DR: IL: Yaz; Outrighted: José Azócar.
Across the league, the Cardinals are keeping their recently extended rookie JJ Wetherholt in the leadoff spot, followed by Iván Herrera behind the plate in the two-hole. Alec Burleson climbs to third, pushing Jordan Walker down to fourth. Last night’s pinch hitters—Lars Nootbar, Bryan Torres, and Nathan Church—will get the starts today in left field, designated hitter, and center field, respectively.
What kind of Braves baseball will we witness tonight? Who, if anyone, will be the beneficiary of some devil magic? Can we please win a series before the break? López vs. Liberatore is set to start at 7:15 pm ET on BravesVision.