Acuña returns to Braves’ lineup against Cardinals

Ronald Acuña returns to the Atlanta Braves’ lineup for Friday’s series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals. Acuña will hit sixth in hopes of providing some punch for the middle of the order. Ender Inciarte is back in the lineup in the leadoff spot after exiting Wednesday’s game early due to a sore oblique.

Matt Carpenter will lead off in the opener for the Cardinals. Carpenter got off to a very slow start in 2018 but has been red hot of late going 10-for-15 with three doubles and two home runs over his last four games. He is 6-for-12 with two doubles and a homer in his career against Braves’ starter Julio Teheran.