Hurston Waldrep makes first start of the season as Jim Jarvis gets the start at shortstop for Braves vs. Cardinals

The Atlanta Braves are going with a different look in both the pitching rotation and the infield for the rubber match against the St. Louis Cardinals at Truist Park. Hurston Waldrep is slated to make his first start of the season, giving the Braves a new tone on the mound, while Jim Jarvis is starting at shortstop for Atlanta. The change matters because it alters the daily defensive alignment and the way Atlanta can match up against St. Louis as the series moves toward a conclusion.

Waldrep’s role tonight is expected to be managed carefully from a workload standpoint. Braves manager Walt Weiss said he is expecting roughly 70 to around 80 pitches from Waldrep, framing it as a target range rather than a strict limit. Weiss pointed to the night before as a guide, noting that Reynaldo López threw 69 pitches and produced five innings, with the Cardinals scoring their lone run in the first inning.

Weiss’ comments also suggested the Braves are looking for a familiar rhythm from the starter, something that can preserve leverage for Atlanta’s late-inning options without pushing a young arm too far. In a game plan like that, the starter’s early command and how quickly he can turn over the lineup become practical, measurable factors. Whether Waldrep can stay efficient enough to reach multiple trips through the batting order will shape how long Atlanta has to work with its bullpen plan.

Jarvis’ presence in the starting lineup adds another layer of versatility. Weiss described Jarvis as a “baseball-y” type who can handle at-bats in a specific way, including taking aim at deeper counts and drawing walks. The fit is also tactical, because it gives Atlanta another left-handed bat in the group, which can affect how St. Louis structures its pitching and in-game matchups.

Beyond offense, Weiss pointed to the defensive and overall roster value of Jarvis. He said Jarvis defends well, has a good arm, and runs pretty well. That mix is useful to a club that wants options if innings and matchups force it to adjust, whether that is shifting roles within the infield or changing how the lineup gets constructed around late-game plate appearances.

The discussion in the Braves clubhouse also included Sean Murphy, though Weiss framed it as part of the broader “update” picture rather than providing a detailed change in the moment. Murphy’s name surfaced in the media run-up to first pitch, indicating he remained a point of interest as Atlanta looks to steady the position groups and roles around the start and bullpen usage.

For the Cardinals, the series finale presents a matchup against a starter being reintroduced into the Braves’ rotation along with an infield starter (Jarvis) who is being relied on at shortstop. For Atlanta, the question is whether Waldrep’s pitch efficiency can support a controlled bullpen night while Jarvis provides both steadiness in the field and enough patience at the plate to keep Atlanta on the front foot early. The most immediate thing to watch is Waldrep’s ability to stick within the intended pitch band, because it will set the tempo for everything that follows.

If Waldrep’s workload and effectiveness track the model Weiss described, Atlanta’s bullpen can be used in a way that preserves matchups for the heart of the order. If not, the game may force earlier bullpen usage than planned, increasing the importance of the specific “options” Weiss indicated he was considering ahead of the third game. Either way, tonight’s lineup and rotation choices offer a clear preview of how the Braves intend to manage leverage in the final innings of a meaningful in-series decider.