Atlanta Braves projected lineup vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (Aug. 22)

The Atlanta Braves look to get back in the win column when taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates.

After dropping the series finale at home on Sunday because the Day Braves are always going to Day Braves, the Atlanta Braves will begin their weeklong roadtrip with three vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates beginning on Monday night.

The Braves have won 11 of their last 13 teams since getting their clock cleaned by the hated New York Mets two weeks ago. Atlanta is still a few games back of New York in division, but the Braves have not lost to a team not named the Mets or the Houston Astros for the better part of a month now. With Pittsburgh still in the midst of its never-ending rebuild, Atlanta has to take advantage.

Here is what the starting lineup may look like in the series opener vs. the Pirates on Monday night.

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

Atlanta needs to capitalize on the opportunity and put forth a lineup that can take 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 worse, Jake Odorizzi will be toeing the rubber for the Braves on Monday night…

Assuming manager Brian Snitker avoids inserting the walking strikeout known as Marcell Ozuna into the lineup, he should roll with something like the list above. Since Ronald Acuña Jr. served as the designated hitter on Sunday afternoon, he should be back in right field. Michael Harris II should man centerfield, while Robbie Grossman or Eddie Rosario will play left field and DH in some order.

The other thing to keep an eye on is who will be catching. Travis d’Arnaud was behind the dish on Sunday afternoon after being Saturday night’s hero in extra innings. This is why it feels like a prime spot for William Contreras to get the start behind the plate for Atlanta. Either way, whoever is playing catcher for the Braves will likely hit fifth or sixth behind Matt Olson and around Rosario.

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