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Cardinals Vs. Braves: Fredi Gonzalez releases lineup, David Ross starts over McCann

Fredi Gonzalez has announced his starting nine for Friday's wild card game. He elected to go with David Ross over Brian McCann behind the plate.

Brad Penner-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire

There wasn't a whole lot of uncertainty facing Friday's one-game playoff between the Braves and Cardinals, but there was one starting spot up for grabs. Brian McCann has done many great things for the organization over the years, and he will be a key player for Atlanta if they're able to advance in the postseason this October.

This being said, and with it being a one-game elimination setting on Friday, manager Fredi Gonzalez has elected to start David Ross behind the plate.

McCann is batting .230/300/.299 this season, which is far and away the worst offensive season of his career. He is known to be battling both shoulder and hamstring injuries. Ross, on the other hand, has been healthy all year and ended with an impressive .256/.321/.449 batting line. Given that Ross is also the better defensive catcher, this was a very solid choice for the Braves.

Here is the complete lineup for Friday's wild card game.

Michael Bourn - CF
Martin Prado - LF
Jason Heyward - RF
Chipper Jones - 3B
Freddie Freeman - 1B
Dan Uggla - 2B
David Ross - C
Andrelton Simmons - SS
Kris Medlen - P

First pitch is set for 5:07 p.m. ET at Turner Field.

Photographs by coka_koehler used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.