Anibal Sanchez faces stout Yanks lineup in Game 1, Markakis to DH

The Braves are back on track, and this series against the Yankees will determine how much momentum they can carry forward. Tonight, the Braves will look to extend their winning streak to four games against a Jonathan Loaisiga, a Yankees rookie making only his fourth big league start.

Here is how the two teams will line up for tonight’s contest.

As noted above, Loaisiga has incredibly limited Major League experience, and as such he has never faced anyone on the Braves’ current roster. After his first three starts, he is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA / 2.25 FIP.

Nick Markakis stays in the usual cleanup spot, but will serve at the team’s designated hitter. Charlie Culberson gets the start in Markakis’ usual home in right field and will bat seventh. Kurt Suzuki will bat fifth catch tonight’s Braves starter, Anibal Sanchez.

Sanchez’s re-emergence has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the Braves’ 2018 season, of which there have been many. After being signed to a Minor League deal at the end of Spring Training, he has become a nearly indispensable part of the Braves starting rotation. However, the biggest test of his 2018 season will come on Monday night as he faces a Yankees lineup that is packed to the gills with home run power.

During his time with the Tigers, Sanchez pitched at “new” Yankee Stadium three times and has fared rather well, going 3-0 with a 3.05 ERA. With the relative youth of this New York lineup, he has limited exposure to this current configuration of Yankees. Didi Gregorius, who bats third, has made the most of his time against Sanchez, slashing .364/.417/.909/1.326 with 2 HR in 12 plate appearances. Even with Didi’s dominant line , the Yankees have collectively hit .187 against him.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm EST.