NLDS Game 2: Braves return to normal lineup versus Zack Wheeler

Hours before Monday’s Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Phillies, the Braves announced their lineup – and there are no changes from the one they used most of the season.

“It’s a different starting pitcher,” manager Brian Snitker said of the reasoning.

For Game 1, Snitker put Austin Riley in the two-hole, and Ozzie Albies – who usually bats second – in the cleanup spot. The Braves were shut out at home for the first time since 2021, so the lineup drew fans’ ire, even if it probably didn’t have much to do with the result.

The Braves tweaked the lineup for the first game because left-hander Ranger Suarez started for the Phillies. In Game 2, Phillies ace Zack Wheeler started.

“We kind of knew he was going to be on a short leash and that the bullpen was going to play a big part of it,” Snitker said. “With Wheeler I fully expect him to go as long as he can go, as long as he’s effective.”

The Braves were correct: The Phillies’ bullpen played a large role in Game 1. The Braves had the matchups they wanted by having Ronald Acuña Jr., Riley and Matt Olson as the three hitters at the top of their lineup.

The other change for Monday: Michael Harris II, who batted sixth in Game 1, was back in the No. 9 spot, where he spent most of the season.

The Braves won, 5-4, by matching their largest postseason comeback in franchise history (four runs). Their lineup, which Wheeler no-hit through five innings, woke up in the sixth.

The Braves’ most common lineup was this: Acuña, Albies, Riley, Olson, Sean Murphy, Marcell Ozuna, Eddie Rosario, Orlando Arcia, Harris. (Ozuna eventually moved up to hitting fifth because of his emergence.)

Monday’s lineup was the normal one: Acuña, Albies, Riley, Olson, Ozuna, Travis d’Arnaud, Rosario, Arcia, Harris.

Of making the lineup, Snitker said: “I mean, I’ll talk to people, but it’s my decision ultimately.”

Entering Monday, the Braves had a career average of .217, slugging average of .406 and OPS of .661 against the right-handed Wheeler.

“He’s one of those guys, I think that when he goes out there, he expects to throw the last pitch that their team does,” Snitker said. “I mean he’s one of the top pitchers in our game, and just a complete package.”

The Braves lineup:

1. Ronald Acuna, RF

Regular season: .337 batting average, 41 home runs, 106 runs batted in, 73 stolen bases

Career against Wheeler: .261 BA, 4 home runs, 7 RBI

2. Ozzie Albies, 2B

Regular season: .280 BA, 33 home runs, 109 RBI, 13 stolen bases

Career against Wheeler: .159 BA, 2 home runs, 3 RBI

3. Austin Riley, 3B

Regular season: .281 BA, 37 home runs, 97 RBI

Career against Wheeler: .275 BA, 1 home run, 4 RBI

4. Matt Olson, 1B

Regular season: .283 BA, 54 home runs, 139 RBI

Career against Wheeler: .250 BA, 2 home runs, 3 RBI

5. Marcell Ozuna, DH

Regular season: .274 BA, 40 home runs, 100 RBI

Career against Wheeler: .191 BA, 1 home run, 6 RBI

6. Travis d’Arnaud, C

Regular season: .225 BA, 11 home runs, 39 RBI

Career against Wheeler: .381 BA, 1 home run, 4 RBI

7. Eddie Rosario, LF

Regular season: .255 BA, 21 home runs, 74 RBI

Career against Wheeler: .125 BA, 0 home runs, 0 RBI

8. Orlando Arcia, SS

Regular season: .264 BA, 17 home runs, 65 RBI

Career against Wheeler: .188 BA, 1 home run, 1 RBI

9. Michael Harris, CF

Regular season: .293 BA, 18 home runs, 57 RBI, 20 stolen bases

Career against Wheeler: .182 BA, 0 home runs, 0 RBI

Here’s the lineup for the Phillies, who won the series opener 3-0 Saturday.