Atlanta Braves Roster
- NL East
- Stadium
- Truist Park
Atlanta Braves starter Charlie Morton has had an uneven start to the 2022 season. In 40 innings spanning eight starts this year, Morton has pitched to a 4.95 ERA, a 4.36 FIP, 37 strikeouts, and 19 walks. The veteran had a 6.85 ERA and a 5.39 FIP in 23.2 innings in his first five starts but has been much more effective lately. In his last three starts, Morton has allowed just five walks and four earned runs in 16.1 innings while striking out 19 batters. His next start will come Wednesday at home against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Travis Demeritte isn't in the lineup on Monday. Demeritte is batting .217 with a .267 on-base percentage and three home runs in 90 plate appearances for Atlanta this season, but will get the day off as the team begins a series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Atlanta will go with William Contreras, Adam Duvall, and Ronald Acuna Jr. from left to right in the outfield for a matchup with the Phillies and right-handed starter Zack Wheeler. Both Acuna and Duvall have homered in their respective careers against Wheeler. Acuna has eight hits, including three home runs, in 29 career plate appearances against Wheeler. Meanwhile, Duvall has three hits, one of which was a home run, in 15 lifetime plate appearances versus Wheeler. Contreras has yet to face the right-hander in the Majors.
Atlanta Braves catcher William Contreras is getting the start in left field and hitting second on Monday for a matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler. So far this season, the 24-year-old is batting .242 with a .342 on-base percentage, six home runs, and a stolen base in 38 plate appearances. He'll hit second after Ronald Acuna Jr., who is starting in right field. Travis d'Arnaud is getting the start behind the plate and batting cleanup. Monday marks the first time this season that Contreras has started at a position other than catcher or designated hitter.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley had a rough time at the plate in this past weekend's series against the Miami Marlins. He went a combined 0-for-12 with a walk and three strikeouts over the three-game set. The 25-year-old started the year off strong, hitting six home runs while posting a .928 OPS in April. However, in May, he's slashing just .176/.256/.284 with two home runs. Riley's underlying power metrics remain elite, including a 91st percentile xSLG (.555) and a 91st percentile average exit velocity (92 mph), so we expect him to shake off the past couple weeks soon.
Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson is enduring a bit of a slump as of late. He's just 3-for-23 with six strikeouts over the course of his last six games. Through 41 games in total, Atlanta's big offseason acquisition is slashing .242/.361/.425 with a 21.8 percent strikeout rate and 16.2 percent walk rate. He has hit the ball hard and owns an solid .357 xwOBA, but these metrics haven't translated very well to the Braves' game-by-game box scores. He should continue to be rostered in all fantasy baseball leagues, but it's more than understandable if managers have concerns about starting him day in and day out.
