The Atlanta Braves officially designated infielder Ha-seong Kim to start at shortstop and bat ninth for Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park. Manager Walt Weiss shuffled the lineup to face left-handed starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo in the opening postseason matchup.
Kim enters the lineup after a difficult regular season. Following offseason finger surgery, the 31-year-old infielder struggled to find a consistent rhythm at the plate, posting a .116 batting average with no home runs and nine RBIs across 51 games. Despite these offensive hurdles, his elite defensive capabilities and late-season clutch moments convinced the coaching staff to give him the nod at shortstop.
To optimize the lineup against a southpaw starter, the Braves made several other notable adjustments. Utility player Mauricio Dubón was slotted into left field to hit cleanup, while Mike Yastrzemski got the assignment as the designated hitter. Drake Baldwin earned the start behind the plate, forming the game-one battery with ace left-hander Chris Sale.
Philadelphia countered by sending Jesús Luzardo to the mound, featuring a top-of-the-order anchored by Trea Turner at shortstop and Kyle Schwarber as the designated hitter. The Braves captured the NL East title with a 94-68 record, while the Phillies reached the postseason via an 88-74 campaign, setting the stage for a high-stakes divisional playoff showdown.
Strategic Lineup Adjustments for Game 1
With outfield injuries impacting depth, the Braves leaned on versatility. Moving Dubón to left field opened up the middle of the infield for Kim, allowing Atlanta to maximize its defensive stability against a dangerous Philadelphia batting order. While critics pointed to Kim’s low offensive numbers during the 2026 campaign, supporters noted his resilience and ability to deliver key hits down the stretch of the regular season.
Game 1 marks a critical test for both franchises as they battle for advancement in the National League postseason bracket. First pitch at Truist Park set the tone for what promises to be a tightly contested series between two familiar NL East rivals.
