Preview, how to watch the Atlanta Braves try to avoid a sweep in Miami without Ronald Acuña Jr in the lineup

The Atlanta Braves haven't been in this position too many times in 2023, especially in the back half of the season: Needing a win to avoid being swept.

The Braves have been swept only twice this season, with both San Diego and Houston pulling off the trifecta in April as Atlanta navigated through injuries to both their rotation (Max Fried and Kyle Wright) and their defense (Orlando Arcia, Michael Harris II). Charlie Morton is tasked with averting the 3rd sweep of the season today, needing to find a way to limit this suddenly potent Marlins offense behind noted slugger *checks notes* Luis Arraez.

Lineup for the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, September 17th

Here's how the Braves will line up for the Sunday matinee:

Series finale.#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/dArGnlzLR4
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 17, 2023

For the 2nd straight game, Ronald Acuña Jr is out of the lineup as he nurses a calf injury suffered late in the game on Friday night. His absence shuffles the Braves lineup a bit, with Ozzie Albies becoming only the third different leadoff hitter for Atlanta this season. Kevin Pillar checks in, batting ninth and playing right field, while Eddie Rosario gets a rare start against a lefty, batting 8th. (Because at this point, your only other outfield options are Forrest Wall or Marcell Ozuna). Travis d'Arnaud gets another start behind the plate, batting 5th.

Pitching Matchup for the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins on Sunday, September 17th

Starting for the Braves is veteran Charlie Morton. "Uncle Charlie" is 14-11 this season with a 3.42 EWRA in his 28 starts, striking out 177 in his 157.2 innings of work. He's taken on Miami twice this season, getting the win both times: April 25th was seven innings of one run ball from Morton, with three hits and two walks to nine strikeouts. He followed that up with 5.2 innings of scoreless baseball on July 1st, allowing four hits and one walk and striking out five in a 7-0 Braves win. Both of those came at home, notably, but he's 3-1 in four starts in Miami since rejoining the Braves in 2021. Jazz Chisholm has been his primary nemesis, batting .348 with two homers and six RBIs in 23 at-bats against Morton.

Opposing Atlanta is lefty Jesús Luzardo. 9-9 with a 3.82 ERA in his 29 starts this season, Luzardo's punched out 186 in his 160.1 innings. His one start against Atlanta this season has not gone well: 5.2 innings of four run (three earned) baseball in early May with seven hits and three walks allowed, although he did strike out five. His primary nemesis seems to be Austin Riley, who is batting .308 against him in 13 at-bats with an RBI; Matt Olson's 1-12 but has taken him deep, while Marcell Ozuna is 1-4 with a homer as well.

How to Watch the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins on Sunday, September 17th

First pitch in Sunday's series finale from Miami is scheduled for 1:40 PM ET. The TV broadcast is 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.

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