What happened: The Atlanta Braves have posted their starting lineup ahead of tonight's home game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The card sets the batting order and defensive alignment Atlanta will use to open play.
Why it matters: The lineup carries added weight after St. Louis took the previous meeting 5-3, leaving Atlanta on a two-game slide. With the Braves at 49-33 and the Cardinals at 43-38, how manager arranges the top of the order shapes Atlanta's push to reset in the series.
By the numbers: Atlanta enters at 49-33, scoring 4.8 runs per game and allowing 3.7, while St. Louis sits 43-38 at 4.5 for and 4.6 against. St. Louis won the most recent head-to-head 5-3 on June 30. The Braves are listed as favorites for tonight
What to watch: First pitch will show whether the posted order holds and how the leadoff spot performs against St. Louis after the fan pushback on recent strikeout numbers.