Braves stick with righty-heavy match-up vs. Kershaw

If Brian Snitker is phased by yesterday’s lopsided defeat, he certainly isn’t showing it in his lineup. As the Braves prepare to face Clayton Kershaw in Game 4 of the NLDS, Snit will deploy the following lineup against the lefty.

For the second straight game, Austin Riley returns to his 2019 home in left field, while Johan Camargo again gets the start at third base. The 15-3 loss wasn’t pretty, but it wasn’t without value as it provided some rest for the team’s regulars, so perhaps the Braves’ position players will come out swinging with renewed vigor.

Cristian Pache, who logged his first big league home run last night, stays in centerfield and in the ninth slot. Travis d’Arnaud, whose knees needed a break as much as anyone on the team, returns to the cleanup spot, and will catch rookie Bryse Wilson.

Wilson get his first ever postseason appearance tonight against a Dodgers team that has had mixed results against the Braves’ rookie starters. Ian Anderson kept them quiet in Game 2, and Kyle Wright...um...threw a couple of pitches and got an early shower in Game 3.

The Dodgers will try to get to rookie Wilson in the following order:

The top of the lineup, which has proven relentless all season (but never so relentless as last night’s first inning), stays intact. Austin Barnes will catch Kershaw. Edwin Rios moves to designated hitter, Justin Turner moves from DH back to third base, and Kike Hernandez gets the nod at second.

Kershaw finally gets his first start of the series, and everyone in Braves Country will be keeping a close eye on his back, which prevented him from starting two days ago.

First pitch is slated for 8:08 pm ET.