Lineup, how to watch Atlanta's series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night

Let's try this again.

The Atlanta Braves' first series of the homestand against a NL Central team with a losing record didn't go so well, as the St. Louis Cardinals mashed and bashed their way to a 2-1 series win.

The Braves get to try again, as the 65-75 Pittsburgh Pirates come to town for a three game set tonight in Truist Park. The season series between the two teams is split at two games apiece, with Atlanta dropping the first and last game of the four in early August at Pittsburgh's PNC Park, with Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder taking the losses.

Lineup for the Atlanta Braves on Friday, September 8th

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

Friday night lights!#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/L6EvWtEDuj
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 8, 2023

Austin Riley, who was held out of the lineup on Thursday after an overnight illness made him miss his first start of the season, will be absent from the lineup for a second straight game and utilityman Nicky Lopez will get a 2nd consecutive start in his place, batting 9th. Travis d'Arnaud is tonight's catcher, batting 6th.

Pitching Matchup for the Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, September 8th

Starting for the Atlanta Braves is RHP Bryce Elder. 11-4 with a 3.42 ERA on the season in his 27 starts, Elder's undoubtedly looking for revenge against the Pirates. In his August 10th start, he surrendered five runs on six hits in five innings, with five strikeouts but also two walks and a HBP. Ke'Bryan Hayes, who doubled and had three RBIs in that matchup, is one of three current Pirates to have hits off of Elder, with leftfielder Bryan Reynolds (1-2) and catcher Jason Delay (2-2) being the others.

Opposing Atlanta is Mitch Keller. 11-8 with a 3.93 ERA in 28 starts for the Pirates, Keller got a no-decision in his August 8th start after allowing three runs on nine hits in five innings, walking none and striking out four, in an eventual 8-6 Atlanta victory. Several Braves have hit him well in limited samples, and both Ronald Acuña Jr (2 HRs, 2 RBIs) and Ozzie Albies (1 HR, 2 RBIs) have taken him deep.

How to Watch the Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, September 8th

Tonight's first pitch from Truist Park is set for 7:20 PM ET. The game broadcast is on Bally Sports South throughout Braves Country and MLB.tv nationally. The radio call is available in the Atlanta metro area on 680 The Fan, across the Southeast on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network, and nationally on MLB.tv.

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