Braves Send Max Fried Back to Minute Maid Park Mound to Win Series

The Atlanta Braves have a chance to win the series in Houston; here's lineups and how to watch

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried takes the ball in Minute Maid Park against the Houston Astros today / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves piled on the runs late against the Houston Astros AGAIN to win game two and the series last night, leaving them with an opportunity to pick up a sweep this afternoon. 

Atlanta’s sending out lefty Max Fried to do just that, with Houston countering with J.P. France at 2:10 PM.  

Lineups for the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros on Wednesday, April 17th

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

RF Ronald Acuña Jr
CF Michael Harris II
3B Austin Riley
1B Matt Olson
DH Marcell Ozuna
SS Orlando Arcia
C Travis d’Arnaud
LF Jarred Kelenic
2B Luis Guillorme

After two rough starts to the season, Fried returned to form in his most recent outing, going 6.1 innings against Miami with one run allowed on four hits. It will be Max’s first start in Minute Maid Park since the World Series clincher in 2021, where he went six scoreless innings with four hits, no walks, and six strikeouts. 

Here's Houston’s lineup:

2B Jose Altuve
DH Yordan Alvarez
3B Alex Bregman
RF Kyle Tucker
DH Yanier Diaz
LF Chaz McCormick
SS Jeremy Peña
CF Mauricio Dubón
1B Jose Abreu
C Victor Caratini

For the 29-year-old France, it’s his first time facing the Braves. He hasn’t had an easy go of it in his first three starts on the season, sitting 0-2 with an 8.22 ERA after struggling with the Texas Rangers last week (eight runs on eight hits in four innings, walking four and striking out three). The only two Atlanta hitters to have faced France are both leftfielders - Adam Duball is 3-5 with a homer and Jarred Kelenic is 0-1 with a lineout and an HBP. 

How to Watch the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros on Wednesday, April 17th

Today's series finale is scheduled for a 2:10 PM ET first pitch with a full suite of broadcast options. In-market, the Braves broadcast is on Bally Sports Southeast and the Astros are on Space City Home Network, with out-of-market fans being able to watch on MLB.tv. For audio, the Astros broadcast is available on KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2 and TUDN 93.3/KLAT 1010, while the Atlanta Braves Radio Network has the standard broadcast on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan and affiliates across Braves Country.