Lineup, how to watch Atlanta's series opener against Washington with Max Fried on the mound

Max Fried wanted to be cautious.

The lefty missed time both in the minors and early in his major league career with blisters, so when he developed a "hot spot" on his left index finger, he said something. Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker pushed him back a few days and after treatment and a successful bullpen, Max's ready to give it a go tonight against Washington.

"At that point, we just wanted to make sure it was going to be no issues." he told the media. "I think probably in a playoff scenario I’m definitely pitching through it, I’m not (skipping a start). But given the circumstance and the timeline that we have right now, just better to err on the side of caution.

Lineup for the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, September 21st

Here's how Atlanta will line up tonight in Washington:

First of four in DC 🫡#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/yUgYkFRvNl
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 21, 2023

Atlanta's going with some of the usual suspects but in unusual places in the lineup - CF Michael Harris II climbs to 6th in the lineup, with LF Eddie Rosario dropping to 8th and SS Orlando Arcia batting 9th. Travis d'Arnaud is tonight's catcher, batting 7th.

Pitching Matchup for the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals on Thursday, September 21st

Max Fried is 7-1 with a 2.64 ERA in his 13 starts this season, striking out 73 in 71.2 innings pitched. In a weird quirk of the timing of both his injury and the schedule, his only game against Washington this season came on Opening Day, where he allowed only one run on four hits before leaving in the 4th inning with a mild hamstring strain. He's faced Washington sixteen times in his career, going 6-4 with a 4.44 ERA, but against vastly different rosters than what Washington has now: Only three Nationals have ten or more at-bats against Fried, and only one has homered.

Opposing Atlanta is RHP Jake Irvin. 3-6 with a 4.34 ERA in his 23 starts this season, the rookie's never faced Atlanta in his short career. He's struck out 98 in his 118.1 innings, and opponents are batting .248 with 20 homers off of him in 2023. Watch for Atlanta's lefties in this one - Irvin's allowed 14 of his 20 homers to left-handed hitters.

How to Watch the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals on Thursday, September 21st

First pitch in tonight's series opener is scheduled for 7:05 PM ET. The TV broadcast will be available on Bally Sports Southeast locally and MLB.tv outside of Braves Country. 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.

Check out Braves Today on Socials!
Follow Braves Today on Twitter!
Like Braves Today on Facebook!
Check out the homepage for more Atlanta Braves News!
Subscribe to Braves Today on YouTube!
Get Exclusive Braves Merchandise from FOCO