ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 19: Brewer Hicklen #53 of the Atlanta Braves hits a single in the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Truist Park on July 19, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Colin Hubbard/Getty Images) Getty
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 12: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves throws to second base during the first inning against the New York Mets at Truist Park on August 12, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) Getty
The Atlanta Braves are looking to avoid being swept at the hands of the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays this week.
The series concludes on Thursday afternoon with a pitching matchup between Martin Perez and Nick Martinez .
Before the Rays series finale took place, the Braves announced an intriguing Brewer Hicklen decision.
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GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 19: Brewer Hicklen #53 of the Atlanta Braves hits a single in the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Truist Park on July 19, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Colin Hubbard/Getty Images)
In an intriguing decision by Walt Weiss, Brewer Hicklen is batting 8th for the Atlanta Braves.
He is playing as the DH. Brewer Hicklen hasn't played much this season (most of the season in the minors), but he has been fairly productive in his big-league opportunities.
Per @UnderdogMLB, here is the full Braves batting order:
Braves 9/10: "D. Baldwin C R. Acuña Jr. RF M. Olson 1B M. Harris II CF M. Dubón 2B L. Thomas LF A. Riley 3B B. Hicklen DH H. Kim SS M. Pérez SP"
Taking a quick look at Brewers ' Hicklen, he has batted .364 in 22 at-bats. He has three RBI and four doubles in those ABs.
Hicklen has played in parts of four MLB seasons, but all of his appearances with clubs have been very brief.
Across 34 total ABs in MLB, Hicklen carries a .294 average with zero home runs.
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GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 12: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves throws to second base during the first inning against the New York Mets at Truist Park on August 12, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
For Thursday's game, there are plenty of changes.
First, Ozzie Albies is out of the lineup.
Mauricio Dubon takes over at second base, Ha-Seong Kim is playing SS, and Sean Murphy is out of the lineup, while Drake Baldwin takes over catching duties. He forms a battery with Martin Perez.
As for the Braves right now, they still carry a three-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East and will host their divisional rival in a crucial weekend set, starting on Friday (at Truist Park).
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