Ronald Acuña Jr. returns to the Atlanta lineup, sticking in the third slot as the Braves welcome a Guardians visit. Sean Murphy comes back as well, batting seventh, while Drake Baldwin sits and Marcell Ozuna anchors the DH duties. Cleveland counters with a varied, leadoff-heavy mix: Steven Kwan leads off, Jose Ramirez sits in the prime third spot, and Kyle Manzardo, Daniel Schneemann, CJ Kayfus, Gabriel Arias, and Carlos Santana fill the middle of the order with notable xwOBA signals. The Guardians’ volatility mirrors a league-wide pattern of shifting lineups, while Atlanta’s dynamic through Acuña and company remains the central fantasy driver.

For fantasy managers, Acuña’s health and lineup position keep him near the top of the asset list, with power-speed upside in a top-tier slot. Ozuna’s DH assignment could cap his plate appearances but preserves upside in run production. Murphy’s return to catching duties reenters his fantasy calculus, especially in two-catcher builds or daily formats that prize lineup stabilization. Against a Guardians squad that has rotated through 109 lineups in 120 games, the Braves’ star power edges this matchup, while Cleveland’s leadoff edge with Kwan and Ramirez creates a dual-threat dynamic in DFS and daily fantasy markets.

Jen Pawol made history as the first female umpire to work a regular-season MLB game, taking the field as the first base umpire for a Braves-Marlins split doubleheader at Truist Park. The moment drew a standing ovation as fans flashed on the video boards and Pawol absorbed the enormity of the milestone. She’ll be back Sunday to work behind the plate, with Curr‑the-rover assignment waiting for her next challenge.

Her debut featured a notable test in the third inning when she ruled Sean Murphy safe at the plate on a close play; no challenges came from Miami. Pawol also flashed emotion on a lifted leg and fist pump on a grounder, signaling that she’ll bring energy and conviction to every call. Braves manager Brian Snitker and Hall of Fame crew chief Chris Guccione lauded the moment as a landmark and a testament to hard work.

Pawol’s ascent traces a long minor‑league arc: Gulf Coast League in 2016, Triple‑A assignments, and law‑of‑the‑minors grit en route to this weekend moment. The achievement sits alongside a broader history of women breaking barriers in major sports officiating, a trend echoed across basketball, football, and beyond, underscoring ongoing progress even as some leagues lag behind. The Baseball Hall of Fame cap she wore on the field is on its way to enshrining this milestone in the record books.

Jen Pawol made history as the first woman to umpire a regular-season MLB game, stepping behind the plate for Atlanta in a Braves-Marlins split doubleheader at Truist Park. The moment was celebrated by fans and peers, with Pawol soaked in applause and a video-board spotlight that underscored the occasion. Her debut came with a composed performance, including a close safe call on Sean Murphy that Braves manager Brian Snitker publicly praised as showing she knows what she’s doing. The moment carried emotional weight for Pawol, her family, and an industry watching closely for future assignments.

The day also highlighted the broader context for women in officiating: Pawol’s milestone echoed barriers broken in other leagues, while the narrative around her progress drew comments from Marlins manager Clayton McCullough and others about the magnitude of the achievement. Pawol will continue in rover duties and is slated to work behind the plate again, with the Baseball Hall of Fame cap from this weekend signaling a lasting legacy. For fantasy enthusiasts, the milestone adds a fresh, human dimension to game decisions and potential shifts in how calls influence pitcher and hitter outcomes as she builds experience.

In the broader sports landscape, this moment sits alongside landmark progress across leagues, with the NBA, NFL, and other major sports expanding opportunities for women in officiating. While the NHL has yet to have on-ice women officials, Pawol’s weekend appearance reinforces a shifting narrative around equity in high-leverage games and critical calls. Her presence may gradually affect how managers and bettors think about games, even as the focus remains on execution and consistency behind the plate.

Jen Pawol became MLB's first female regular-season umpire, debuting as the first-base umpire in the Braves and Marlins split doubleheader in Atlanta. A quiet first inning gave way to a foreign-substance check on Hurston Waldrep, with Braves catcher Sean Murphy offering a friendly nod as Pawol walked off. The weekend shifts to a third-base role for Pawol in the nightcap and a plate appearance on Sunday, spotlighting a historic milestone in a game watching more barriers fall.

Her rise traces a path from Hofstra softball stardom to the Gulf Coast League in 2016, a Triple-A championship assignment in 2023, and spring training work in 2024 and 2025. Little preparation time, a seven-figure dream realized after a conference-call promotion, and a new pipeline for women officiating MLB anchor a broader narrative about inclusion in baseball. The moment matters to fans, players, and fantasy enthusiasts who track how officiating evolves with the sport.

The Atlanta Braves find themselves at a crossroads this season, with their postseason aspirations dimming. Rumors swirl around Sean Murphy, the talented catcher who recently signed a lucrative six-year deal, as the emergence of rookie Drake Baldwin as a potential replacement raises questions about Murphy's future in Atlanta. While the Braves have expressed their intention to retain Murphy, trading him could yield significant returns.

With Marcell Ozuna's impending departure and Baldwin's rapid rise, the team might explore a catcher and designated hitter rotation moving forward. As the trade deadline approaches, the Braves may consider offers for Murphy, especially given the current season's struggles, making a winter trade more appealing than an immediate one.