The lineups have settled into a bit of a groove lately, though it’s not exactly an exciting one:
Here is tonight's #Braves starting lineup vs. the Marlins.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 11, 2021
Presented by @TruistNews | #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/ut25VaIoiH
Inciarte gets a second consecutive start, but since Kevan Smith started yesterday, this is a novel lineup for the Braves. It’s also a novel defensive arrangement, since the last time Abraham Almonte and Inciarte both started in the outfield, Ehire Adrianza started at third.
As for the Marlins behind Sandy Alcantara, well:
#Marlins lineup to open series vs. division rival Braves
— Christina De Nicola (@CDeNicola13) June 11, 2021
— Only change is Isan Díaz at 3B, with Jon Berti sliding to 2B
— Jorge Alfaro moves down to the seventh spot
— Ronald Acuña Jr. is one HR shy of 100. Last time he faced Sandy Alcantara was in NLDS Game 1 (leadoff HR). pic.twitter.com/KCh1jF17T9
This is the second time the Marlins are using this lineup, the first time being a win over the Rockies on Tuesday. With this arrangement, the Marlins have used five different lineups twice each, and never repeated any lineup three times.
Statcast graphic!
In aggregate, this Braves lineup hasn’t really hit Alcantara all too well in the past. The sample size is tiny of course, though those Freddie Freeman and Ozzie Albies xwOBAs are hmm-inducing. Not that it’s predictive, just kind of weird.
Here’s the Marlins against Morton, just for the sake of completeness.