Mauricio Dubón is officially starting in left field for the Braves in NLDS Game 1 today against the “Death Star Dodgers” and their lefty ace Tarik Skubal. This isn’t just a simple lineup tweak either, folks. The team’s benched Lane Thomas, and that’s the kind of move that makes you raise an eyebrow, especially when he had the platoon split advantage against Skubal. It’s Game 1 of the NLDS, so every decision feels magnified.
The Lineup Shocker That Has Everyone Talking
So, Dubón is in left, which is already a talking point. But the real head-scratcher here is Lane Thomas sitting out. Braves’ manager Walt Weiss said they wanted to rest Thomas, and he is expected to be back in the lineup tomorrow against another lefty, Snell. Call me old-fashioned, but resting a bat with a platoon advantage against a guy like Skubal in a playoff opener? That’s a bold play, to say the least. You gotta wonder what kind of message that sends, or what kind of strategy they’re cooking up behind the scenes when facing a bullpen game and a pitcher of Skubal’s caliber.
Braves Stacked Against Skubal and the Dodgers
Despite the Thomas decision, the Braves have put together what they hope is a winning combination. Sean Murphy is behind the plate, handling catching duties. Baldwin gets the designated hitter spot and is leading off. Albies is batting third, getting to hit from the right side, which could be key. Then you’ve got Olson and Harris stacked back-to-back at four and five, looking to drive in some runs. This is Game 1 of the NLDS, and the Dodgers have their lineup locked and loaded too. It’s a classic playoff showdown at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium.
It’s Saturday, October 3, with first pitch at 4:00 pm EDT in Los Angeles. You can catch all the action on FOX, or listen in on 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM, or ESPN Radio. This is just Game 1, and with Thomas expected back tomorrow against Snell, you know this series is going to be a wild ride. Don’t blink, because every pitch matters.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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