Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates lineup (August 22)

The Atlanta Braves are looking to get back in the Victory Column when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates.

After Sunday’s series finale was canceled at home because the Day Braves always go to Day Braves who Atlanta Braves will start their week-long road trip with three against them Pittsburgh Pirates starting Monday evening.

The Braves have won 11 of their last 13 teams since getting their watch cleaned by the hated New York Mets two weeks ago. Atlanta is still a few games behind New York in the division, but the Braves haven’t lost to a team unnamed the Mets or Houston Astros in almost a month. With Pittsburgh still in the midst of its never-ending rebuild, Atlanta must benefit.

This is what the starting line-up could look like in the series opener against the Pirates on Monday evening.

Atlanta Braves projected starting lineup vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, Aug. 22

Atlanta needs to seize the opportunity and put together a lineup that can last Game 1.

1. RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
2. SS Dansby Swanson
3. 3B Austin Riley
4. 1B Matt Olson
5. C William Contreras
6. DH Eddie Rosario
7. 2B Vaughn Grissom
8. CF Michael Harris II
9. LF Robbie Grossman

For better or for worse, Jake Odorizzi will don the rubber for the Braves on Monday night…

Assuming manager Brian Snitker avoids including the walking strikeout known as Marcell Ozuna in the lineup should he roll with something like the list above. With Ronald Acuña Jr. serving as the designated hitter on Sunday afternoon, he should be back in the right field. Michael Harris II should occupy midfield, while Robbie Grossman or Eddie Rosario will play left field and DH in either order.

The other thing to keep an eye on is who is going to catch. Travis d’Arnaud was behind the court on Sunday afternoon after being the hero in extra innings on Saturday night. Because of that, it feels like a prime place for William Contreras to get the start behind the plate for Atlanta. Either way, whoever plays catcher for the Braves will likely finish fifth or sixth behind Matt Olson and around Rosario.

With a questionable starting pitcher on the mound, the Braves need to put down some runs.