Braves Release Starting Lineup for NLDS Game 3
By Michael Luciano
The Atlanta Braves have a tough task ahead of them in these next few days, as they will need to fend off the St. Louis Cardinals in two straight games at Busch Stadium, one of the most hostile road environments in baseball.
The Braves will send out all of their big guns in their Game 3 lineup.
Game 3. Let’s get another W.#RELENTLESS pic.twitter.com/8mWix69wK8
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 6, 2019
The lineup is a carbon copy of their Game 1 lineup, in keeping with manager Brian Snitker's tendency to stick with a relatively unchanged lineup.
Ronald Acuña is back at the top of the order, despite the fact he earned the ire of fans for not hustling out a fly ball in Game 1. He is followed by second baseman Ozzie Albies, first baseman Freddie Freeman, and third baseman Josh Donaldson.
Mike Soroka, who will likely be second or third in the 2019 NL Rookie of the year voting, will star this game. He went 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA in the regular season, including a historically good ERA on the road.
Rookie Mike Soroka starts on the road for the Braves in the playoffs today
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 6, 2019
He had a 1.55 road ERA this year, 4th-lowest since the mound was lowered
Lowest road ERA, qualified SP since mound lowered (1969):
1995 Maddux: 1.12
2005 Clemens: 1.32
1994 Maddux: 1.37
2019 Soroka: 1.55
The Cardinals will always be a tough out at Busch, and the Braves will need a virtuoso performance in all phases if they want to take a 2-1 series lead.