Jorge Mateo gets the start at shortstop as Joey Bart catches for the Braves vs. the Mets

Atlanta reshapes the bottom half of its lineup, with Mateo covering shortstop and Bart behind the plate as Ha-Seong Kim remains on the injured list.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

The Atlanta Braves will look to turn their batting momentum into another statement outing against the New York Mets, with a lineup that shifts responsibility up the defensive spectrum. Jorge Mateo is set to start at shortstop, while Joey Bart takes the catcher’s role as the Braves assemble the back of their batting order for the matchup.

Mateo’s start comes with Ha-Seong Kim on the injured list, opening a path in the infield mix. According to pregame lineup information, Mateo gets the nod at shortstop over Jim Jarvis for the contest, placing him at the center of Atlanta’s infield alignment against a Mets pitching look led by left-hander Sean Manaea.

Joey Bart, meanwhile, is starting at catcher and is slotted into the lineup for the game. The Braves plan a right-handed, balanced approach in the middle of the order, with Brandon “Baldwin” listed as the designated hitter and batting second, setting the tone early for Atlanta’s chances to string together hits.

Austin Riley is scheduled to bat fifth, with Michael Harris positioned just behind him in the order. The explanation attached to the lineup card points to matchups and the left-right mix rather than a simple reflection of recent results, a reminder that lineup construction can be as much about who is available and what a pitcher brings as it is about form.

The Braves also point to recent offensive production in the lead-up to this game, including a stretch in which they have shown power, with four home runs recorded on Friday night. That kind of output matters against a Mets club because it can change how quickly an opposing starter can work the strike zone.

From the Mets perspective, the central question is whether they can benefit from the Braves’ adjustments, particularly along the bottom of the order and behind the plate. Bart’s presence behind the plate shapes everything from pitch selection to how Atlanta will attack with intent, especially once batters reach two-strike counts.

For Braves fans, the lineup is a practical snapshot of how Atlanta manages depth and roles on a given day. If Mateo can steady the infield and Atlanta’s power surge carries forward, this national-TV-style spotlight game becomes as much about continuity under changing personnel as it is about the head-to-head between lineups.

Why It Matters

Shortstop is a high-leverage defensive position, and Mateo’s start adds a new look to Atlanta’s infield rhythm while Kim is sidelined.
Catcher changes can alter the game plan, especially against a pitcher like Manaea, where timing and pitch usage matter for hitters.
A left-right lineup mix strategy can influence how the Braves approach at-bats early, shaping the chances to score in the middle innings.
Atlanta’s recent power surge, highlighted by four homers in the prior game context, could determine whether this matchup becomes a multi-run swing-and-miss game rather than a grinding contest.

Sources

Key Facts

Jorge Mateo is scheduled to start at shortstop for the Braves against the Mets.
Joey Bart is scheduled to catch for Atlanta.
Ha-Seong Kim is on the injured list, contributing to the infield lineup adjustment.
The Braves are set to face left-hander Sean Manaea.
Brandon Baldwin is listed as the designated hitter and batting second.
Austin Riley is scheduled to bat fifth, with Michael Harris batting after him.
The Braves’ pregame context notes they hit four home runs on Friday night.