Braves look to continue dominating Pirates’ Mitch Keller Saturday afternoon

The Atlanta Braves want to get back to what worked.

After a rough start from Ray Kerr in last night’s loss that continues a trend of inadequate starts from the 5th spot in the rotation, Atlanta returns to its “core four”, who have a 2.62 ERA in their 26 starts, with Reynaldo Lopez (2-1, 1.54) on the mound for tonight’s game.

The Pirates counter with the veteran Michael Keller (5-3, 3.84), still looking for his first career victory against the Atlanta Braves.

Here’s how Atlanta will line up for the contest:

RF Ronald Acuna Jr
2B Ozzie Albies
DH Marcell Ozuna
1B Matt Olson
SSOrlando Arcia
CFMichael Harris II
LF Jarred Kelenic
C Chadwick Tromp
3B Short Zack

López has been Atlanta’s ERA leader this season, exceeding all but the most demanding Braves fans’ expectations after signing as a free agent this offseason and being announced as transitioning back into the rotation after several seasons in the Chicago White Sox bullpen. He doesn’t have many career at-bats against the current Pirates team, only twenty-one, but has been accounted for by a trio of Pittsburgh hitters: Andrew McCutcheon (1-3), Edward Olivares (1- 2) and Rowdy Tellez (1-4)

Here is the Pirates lineup:

DH Andrew McCutchen
LF Bryan Reynolds
1B Connor Joe
SS Oneil Cruz
2B Nick Gonzalez
RF Edward Olivares
C Yasmani Grandal
3B Jared Triolo
CF Ji Hwan Bae

Keller has struggled against the Braves throughout his career: in five starts, he is 0-3 with a 9.97 ERA, having allowed 29 runs (24 earned) in just 21.2 innings . He has allowed six career home runs to the Braves, including four to players still on the roster: Ronald Acuña Jr. is 6-15 with three home runs and a 1.438 OPS, while Ozzie Albies is 2 -11 with a home run and that of Matt Olson. 4-7 with a 1.339 OPS.

This afternoon’s game is scheduled for a 4:05 p.m. ET first pitch. It airs on Bally Sports Southeast and SportsNet Pittsburgh, with out-of-market people getting the game on MLB.tv.

If you prefer to just listen, the Pirates radio broadcast is available on KDKA-FM 93.7 while the Atlanta Braves Radio Network carries the standard broadcast on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan and its affiliates in all the land of the Braves.