Atlanta Braves News: Orlando Arcia to hit second tonight vs. Texas Rangers.
The Atlanta Braves have announced their lineup for tonight’s series opener against the defending champion Texas Rangers. One possible surprise is that Orlando Arcia will bat second.
Arcia is assuming the spot left behind by Ozzie Albies. Initially, we were told that Michael Harris II would hit behind Ronald Acuna Jr., even on days the Braves face lefties. However, Arcia has been scorching hot and has a fantastic track record against lefties.
Orlando Arcia Destroyed LHP in 2023
That is why Arcia was one of our picks of the day in the Braves Odds section earlier this morning. In fact, he’s the first player we’ve picked this season to actually hit a homer. WE LOVE ARCIA vs. LEFTIES. I really like the decision to move Arcia up against lefties while Albies is out. Last season, Arcia averaged a home run every 12 at-bats against southpaws. That’s even better than Ronald Acuna Jr.’s AB/HR ratio vs. LHP last year!
In 2023, Arcia slashed .302/.402/.604 vs. LHP.
In case you haven’t put two and two together yet… the Braves are facing a struggling lefty in Atlanta tonight in Andrew Heaney.
Orlando Arcia has been destroying all pitching in 2024
Arcia has been a key cog to the Braves lineup and vital to their early season success. He is hitting .377/.412/.557 on the season with just nine strikeouts in 68 plate appearances. His 13.2% strikeout rate is in the 89th percentile in the league. He has had multiple clutch hits, including game-tying and game-winning knocks.
As an added bonus, he ranks the third-highest in all of baseball with four outs above average. The man has done no wrong this season.
Arcia is a different hitter since joining Braves
Arcia has been playing the best baseball of his life since he put on the Atlanta Braves uniform. Kevin Seitzer, Brian Snitker, and company appear to have unlocked the inner All-Star in the former top prospect. Remember when MLB.com has Arcia rated as the #6 prospect in all of baseball before the 2016 season?
Since donning a Braves uniform, Arcia’s OPS+ is 29 points higher than it was in his six years with Milwaukee. This season, he’s sitting on a 166 OPS+.
The Braves will face the Rangers at 7:20 ET on Apple TV+… so you might have to tune into 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan.
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