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The lineups are out for the decider of what has been an entertaining NLDS between the Braves and the Cardinals. As you can see above, there’s only one big change for both lineups and it’s the addition of Adam Duvall. After being a pinch-hit extraordinaire for the Braves for this entire series, he’ll now be given the chance to make something happen at the plate from the very start of the game.
There were rumors that Brian Snitker was going to change the lineup a bit and the Duvall switch turned out to be the only change. Dansby Swanson is still hitting eighth and Nick Markakis has retained the fifth spot in the order. A lineup that’s been very similar in structure to this one has given the Braves plenty of success this year and now they’ll need to come up big if they want to make it to the NLCS.
The Cardinals are also rolling with the same lineup. Of course, we know who to be extremely wary of, as both Paul Goldschmidt and Marcell Ozuna have been carrying the load on offense for the Cardinals. Shutting those two down will likely make Atlanta’s chances of winning that game skyrocket, but this is also the playoffs and it’s St. Louis so who really knows what’s going to happen?
The main thing is that the lineups are what they are. This is the lineup that we’ll have to root for to hopefully see the Braves clinch this series win. pop some champagne, and finally get ready to play in the National League Championship Series. It’s been far too long — let’s make it happen again.