Joey Bart will play catcher for the Atlanta Braves tonight against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is set to form a battery duo with Grant Holmes. This particular pairing marks a new development for the club.
The catcher decision for the Braves is an interesting one. It will be the first time that Grant Holmes has formed a battery with Joey Bart. Holmes’s past three starts, since Bart joined the club, have all been with Drake Baldwin serving as the backstop.
Bart’s New Battery and Recent Batting Form
Bart’s performance at the plate since joining the Braves currently stands at .136/.269/.318. His current wOBA is .273, with a 68 wRC+ since joining the Braves. While these figures are noted as ‘not great’, they are considered better than the production the team had been getting from previous catchers.
Braves Lineup and Baldwin’s Shift
The lineups for tonight’s middle game between the Braves and the Pirates have been released, with no major shocks or surprises for the Braves. Michael Harris II is still leading off for the side. Austin Riley features near the bottom of the order.
The top of the order appears imposing, while hopes are directed towards the middle and bottom portions of the lineup. Drake Baldwin, who previously served as backstop for Holmes, moves to designated hitter for the match.
Drake Baldwin has appeared more like his usual self since the calendar moved from June to July. The Braves lineup is showing serious signs of getting things back rolling at the plate again. This follows a period where the unit spent a month wandering in the wilderness.
First pitch for the game is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET tonight. The match will take place at PNC Park.