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Update, June 25th — Acuna will return to the lineup on Friday vs. the Reds batting leadoff in his usual spot.
First pitch at 7:10 tonight in Cincinnati!
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 25, 2021
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Update, June 24th — Acuna will get another night off as the Braves begin a series against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night. We don’t know the Braves lineup for Thursday night yet, so we’ll be on the lookout. Ehire Adrianza started in RF for Acuna on Wednesday night vs. the Mets.
Ronald Acuña Jr. still has back tightness, will get another day to rest and see if he's ready Friday. Heredia (wrist) is available to pinch-hit tonight.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) June 24, 2021
Atlanta Braves OF Ronald Acuna Jr. was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup vs. the New York Mets due to lower back tightness. Acuna was in RF and that job will go to Ehire Adrianza while SS Dansby Swanson will take over the role of leadoff hitter against the Mets.
The Braves are looking for a series win over the Mets after taking 1 of 2 games of a double-header on Monday and winning on Tuesday. Acuna was 0-for-5 yesterday, so that may be the reason why he’s been scratched. Atlanta has played 5 games in the span of Sunday-Wednesday, which isn’t normal for any team.
The Mets are being favored -1.5 on the run line, though they are juiced up to +143, which seems favorable without Acuna in the lineup. The Mets are -148 on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook as of now, though that number may move after this news.
Acuna entered Wednesday in the top 5 in HRs at 20 on the season. He is also in the top 5 in terms of OPS at .996 while boasting 45 RBI and a .285 batting average for the Braves, who are 35-37, 4.0 games behind the Mets for first place in the NL East.