Ronald Acuña Jr returns to lineup for Atlanta's series opener against Philadelphia with Kyle Wright on the mound

Rightfielder Ronald Acuña Jr IS back in the lineup for the first game of the final (regular season) matchup against the Phillies

The Atlanta Braves are probably glad to be home. 

Last week was an emotional road trip to Philly, where the Braves won three of four games (two of them in extras) en-route to clinching their 6th straight National League East title. 

And then, after an off day to celebrate, they got absolutely whacked by Miami, being swept by the Marlins in the weekend series in Miami. The Marlins hit eighteen extra base hits in the three game sweep, including ten homers, two of which were grand slams. 

Hopefully sleeping in their own beds reinvigorates the Braves, who are looking for Kyle Wright to right the ship as they work to lock down homefield advantage for the postseason. And hopefully the Philadelphia Phillies, who watched the Braves celebrate winning the division on their home field, don't have any lingering resentment like Miami did.   

Lineup for the Atlanta Braves on Monday, September 18th

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

Back home. 🏡 #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/mAZ89443pL

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 18, 2023

Ronald Acuña Jr, who missed two games with a mild calf strain suffered late in Friday's game in Miami, is back in the lineup and batting in his traditional leadoff spot. His return resets the rest of the lineup to its "normal" order, with Michael Harris II resuming his role as the most qualified #9 hitter on the planet. Sean Murphy rotates in behind the plate, hoping to get his bat going before we reach the postseason.  

Pitching Matchup for the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, September 18th

Atlanta's sending Kyle Wright to the mound tonight. Last season's wins leader for all of baseball, with 21, he's looking to get back into last year's form tonight. On the season he's 0-2 with a 7.48 ERA in his six starts. Returning last week from over two months on the injured list with a shoulder injury, Wright gave up six runs in three innings to Philly, striking out three but walking two. He said after the game that the game "sped up" on him in the first inning, as it's hard to properly simulate the speed and pressure of the game during a minor league rehab start. 

Opposing the Braves is RHP Zack Wheeler. 11-6 with a 3.70 ERA in his 29 starts this season, Wheeler's had two diametrically opposed starts against Atlanta this season. the first, in Atlanta on May 27th, was eight scoreless innings with only three hits and one walk, with twelve strikeouts. The Braves got revenge the next time, though, tagging Wheeler for six runs on seven hits in just five innings last week in Philadelphia.   

How to Watch the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, September 18th

First pitch in Monday's series opener from Truist Park is scheduled for 7:20 PM ET. The TV broadcast is on Bally Sports South 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