Austin Riley and Sean Murphy in the lineup for series opener against Nationals

The Atlanta Braves are currently looking for better vibes.

They won yesterday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates to avoid a sweep, fueled by another dominant start from Chris Sale in a busy May, but the victory was overshadowed by the Season-ending ACL injury suffered by star Ronald Acuña Jr.

Atlanta kicks off the first post-Acuña series of the season with the division rivals Washington Nationals in town for the first matchup between the two teams of the 2024 season. The Braves send in a veteran Charlie Morton (3-1, 3.35) on the mound against a escaping southpaw Mitchell Parker (3-2, 3.32).

Here’s how Atlanta will line up for the contest:

2B Ozzie Albies
3B Austin Riley
DH Marcell Ozuna
1B Matt Olson
C Sean Murphy
RF Adam Duvall
CFMichael Harris II
SSOrlando Arcia
LF Jarred Kelenic

We don’t normally report minor changes to the Braves’ lineup, as they are known for keeping virtually the same lineup almost every day, but there are enough here that are worth mentioning. Third basemen Austin Riley (intercostal) and Sean Murphy (oblique) return to the lineup, Riley after missing thirteen games and Murphy after missing forty-nine. Second baseman Ozzie Albies steps up to first in Acuña’s absence – it’s likely Michael Harris II could be the everyday leadoff man, but Ozzie gets the job with a lefty on the mound for Washington.

Morton has been mostly steady this season, albeit with some isolated outings that were tougher than we’re used to seeing from the veteran. But he doesn’t know this national team very well. his only start against them last season came at the very end of the year, in which he left the game after just one inning due to a sprained finger that eventually knocked him out of the rotation during Atlanta’s loss in NLDS vs. Philadelphia Phillies.

Here is the composition of the Nationals:

SS CJ Abrams
RF Lane Thomas
2B Luis Garcia Jr.
LF Eddie Rosario
C Keibert Ruiz
Jesse Winker
3B Nick Senzel
1B Joey Gallo
CFJacob Young

The Braves have never faced left-handed Parker, but they aren’t as uncomfortable as many teams facing a left-handed starter. The Braves are 11-5 against left-handed starters this season, including 10-2 in their last twelve games. Atlanta is batting .264 with twenty-four home runs in sixteen games started by opposing lefties.

This afternoon’s series opener is scheduled for a 4:10 p.m. ET first pitch. It airs on Bally Sports Southeast and MASN2, with those not in the market having the game on MLB.tv.

If you prefer to just listen, the Nationals radio broadcast is available on 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7 while the Atlanta Braves Radio Network carries the standard broadcast on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan and its branches throughout Braves country. Both teams broadcast in Spanish today, with the Atlanta team on La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM and the Washington team on La Pantera 100.7 FM/1220 AM.