Lineup, how to watch the Atlanta Braves go for the sweep of the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night

The Atlanta Braves have turned on the bats at just the right time.

Atlanta's now twice came back to defeat the Cubs, scoring a combined 13 runs in the final few innings of the first two games of the series. Ozzie Albies has been at the center of both comebacks, going 2-4 with a sixth inning run in game one followed by a dominant Tuesday performance, including a solo homer early, a game-tying RBI in the 8th, and a walkoff single in the 10th.

The Braves offense comes to bear tonight against Cubs starter Marcus Stroman, who is trying to keep Chicago's playoff hopes alive; the Cubbies have fallen into a tie with the Marlins for the final wild card spot, and Miami holds the tiebreaker.

Lineup for the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, September 28th

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

Here's how we're lining up on @LosBravos Night!#PorLaA pic.twitter.com/pLkITJGHUP
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 28, 2023

No real surprises tonight - Travis d'Arnaud rotates in behind the plate, batting 7th, while CF Michael Harris II and SS Orlando Arcia round out the bottom of the order, batting 8th and 9th.

Pitching Matchup for the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs on Thursday, September 28th

Starting for Atlanta is the newly called-up AJ Smith-Shawver. The 20 year-old rookie is 1-0 with a 4.57 ERA in his five major league appearances (four starts); he's 4-2 with a 2.76 in his 15 minor league starts this season, spread across three different levels (High-A to AAA). Smith-Shawver's never faced the Cubs in his short major league career, but one member of their roster has seen him before: Jaimer Candelario, who was acquired by Chicago at the trade deadline, went 0-1 against Smith-Shawver while a member of the Washington Nationals.

Opposing the Braves is Marcus Stroman. 10-8 on the year with a 3.88 ERA in his 26 appearances (24 starts), Stroman's struck out 117 in his 134.2 innings. He has yet to face Atlanta this season, but is 2-2 with a 3.09 ERA in his last five starts against the Braves dating back to 2019. Not very many Braves have been very successful against Stroman in their careers, with two notable exceptions: Ozzie Albies is batting .438 with one RBI in his 16 career at-bats, while Eddie Rosario is 3-9 with two homers and three RBIs.

How to Watch the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs on Thursday, September 28th

Tonight's first pitch is scheduled for 7:20 PM ET on Bally Sports South and nationally on MLB.TV. The radio call is available in the Atlanta metro area on 680 The Fan and across the Southeast on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network.

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