Braves Debut New Lineup for Series Opener Versus Phillies

The Atlanta Braves have been decimated by injury this season.

Their most used lineup has taken the field just 14 times, while they've used 51 different lineups already this season. By contrast, the 2023 offense had two lineups combine for 82 games, with the only difference in the two being which catcher was behind the plate.

Tonight's series opener against the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies will feature yet another unique lineup, as the team added third baseman Gio Urshela just this morning after incumbent slugger Austin Riley suffered a broken hand on Sunday in the series finale against the Los Angeles Angels.

But it is not all bad injury news for the Atlanta Braves: starter Reynaldo López (7-4, 2.06), who has missed multiple weeks with forearm tightness, is returning for tonight's start against the Phillies. He will be opposed by ace and Cy Young candidate Zack Wheeler (12-5, 2.72).

Lineups for the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, August 20th

Here's how the Atlanta Braves will line up for the contest:

CF Michael Harris II
RF Ramón Laureano
DH Marcell Ozuna
1B Matt Olson
C Sean Murphy
LF Jarred Kelenic
SS Orlando Arcia
3B Gio Urshela
2B Whit Merrifield

López is making his second start of the season against Philadelphia and he is hoping for as much success in this one as he had in the first. On July 7th, Lopez went six scoreless innings with only two hits allowed, striking out six and walking three in an eventual Braves 6-0 win. No members of the Phillies have very long track records against López save two hitters: outfielder Nick Castellanos is batting .314 in 35 ABs, while shortstop Trea Turner is 3-8 with a homer and three RBI off of López.

Here is Philly's lineup for the opener:

DH Kyle Schwarber
SS Trea Turner
1B Bryce Harper
3B Alec Bohm
RF Nick Castellanos
2B Bryson Stott
C J.T. Realmuto
LF Brandon Marsh
CF Johan Rojas

Wheeler is also making his second start of the season against Atlanta and just like López, he is hoping for as much success in this one as he had in the first. In the season's first series, Wheeler went six scoreless innings against Atlanta, allowing five hits and picking up five strikeouts without a walk. Unlike López's last outing, however, Wheeler's team didn't win after his masterful performance: Atlanta scored seven runs in the eighth inning to take a 9-3 victory over the Phils.

Wheeler's 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA against the Braves in his last five starts, but he needs to be careful of some of Atlanta's newcomers he hasn't yet seen this season: third baseman Gio Urshela is 2-5 with a homer and two RBI, while outfielder Ramón Laureano is 1-3 off of him and outfielder Jorge Soler is 4-16.

How to Watch the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, August 20th

Tonight's series opener is scheduled for a 7:20 PM ET first pitch. The Braves broadcast is on Bally Sports South, while the Phillies are on NBCSP and out-of-market fans can watch the game on TBS.

Atlanta will have two audio calls for the game: The standard broadcast will be on 680AM/93.7 FM The Fan in the metro area and on Atlanta Braves Radio Network affiliates across Braves Country, while a Spanish-language broadcast can be found on La Mejor 1600/1460/1130AM.