Tonight marks the first Braves’ playoff game since 2013, and it will take place at the same venue as the last one. The Braves and Dodgers will kick off their NLDS series at Dodger Stadium, where Atlanta limped out of the playoffs five long years ago. Meanwhile the Dodgers will be playing in the postseason for the sixth consecutive year, a run which began during that fateful 2013 series against the Braves.
While some holdovers remain from both squads, these are essentially two completely different teams. A number of the current Braves were still in their teens when the last series was played.
The Braves will face Hyun-Jin Ryu in Game 1, and here’s how Brian Snitker will line up his nine:
Tonight's Braves lineup for Game 1 of the 2018 NLDS. #ChopOn#ForEachOther: https://t.co/XxP7HGN7Vx pic.twitter.com/u3n2ySOcJN
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 4, 2018
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Johan Camargo will bat second against the southpaw Ryu.
This collection of Braves has performed well against Ryu, albeit in limited sample sizes. Freddie Freeman has slashed a bonkers .625/.727/.750/1.477 with a double in 11 PA, and Charlie Culberson has slashed .429/.429/.714/1.143 with a triple in 7 PA against his former teammate. Of the Braves on the postseason roster, these two account for the only two extra base hits.
As Ryu missed 3 ½ months this season with a groin injury, he did not face the Braves this year. He has never faced Ronald Acuña, Ozzie Albies, or Camargo.
Mike Foltynewicz will take the mound for the Braves, and face the Dodgers in this order:
Tonight's Dodger lineup vs. Braves:
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 4, 2018
Pederson LF
Turner 3B
Muncy 1B
Machado SS
Grandal C
Bellinger CF
Puig RF
Hernández 2B
Ryu P#LADetermined | @Biofreeze pic.twitter.com/WBnFkm1KW2
As Folty faces this powerhouse Dodgers lineup, he has notably struggled against Yasmani Grandal (both career hits are HR) and Manny Machado (4-6). In his only start against them this year, he allowed 4 earned runs over 5 innings while striking out 8.
First pitch is scheduled for 8:37pm ET. Let’s hope Acuña hits it to Mars.