ATLANTA -- Manager John Russell posted the Pirates' opening-day lineup in their Turner Field clubhouse this afternoon:

Nate McLouth, CF

Freddy Sanchez, 2B

Jason Bay, LF

Adam LaRoche, 1B

Xavier Nady, RF

Ryan Doumit, C

Jose Bautista, 3B

Jack Wilson, SS

Ian Snell, P

The surprise on that list, to be sure, was the insertion of Doumit rather than Ronny Paulino, the Pirates' widely presumed opening-day catcher. Especially given that they are facing left-hander Tom Glavine when they and the Atlanta Braves play tonight at 7:10.

Russell acknowledged that Doumit was rewarded for his exceptional training in the offseason and strong spring performance, but he also stressed that little should be read into it.

"Ryan's worked very hard. He really took the bull by the horns," Russell said. "But this isn't a negative against Ronny. We're going to try every night to put the best lineup out there that we can."

The decision, he added, had more to do with the Pirates feeling that Doumit -- who has shown good patience all spring -- would be a better match for Glavine, who can dissect hitters with a wide variety of pitches.

"With Glavine, we felt Ryan's approach was better suited," Russell said. "Ronny will be more suited for Mike Hampton."

That is the left-hander the Pirates will face in their third game, Thursday in Atlanta. Right-hander Jair Jurrjens pitches the second game for the Braves Wednesday.

"It's not a knock against either one of our catchers," Russell said. "We think we have a pretty good tandem, and we think this will work for both of them."

So, not a straight platoon?

"Not at all. We'll be looking at all different kinds of situations."

Doumit sounded plenty excited.

"It was not expected on my part, but it's nice to see my hard work paid off," he said.

Doumit entered spring training thinking he would challenge for outfield duty after spending much of last season there, but he quickly impressed management with improved defense.

"I'm out to prove a lot of people wrong," Doumit said. "A lot has been said about my defense, and I'm out to silence the critics. I feel like I'm getting better every day."

Paulino had little reaction.

"I'm a little bit surprised," he said. "But I'm just going to keep working hard."

Russell's other lineup decision of note was moving Wilson to eighth in the order after he spent much of the spring at No. 2.

"It will change," Russell said. "There might be nights when Jack is at the top of the order. Right now, I feel like we have a pretty balanced attack, one through eight."

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.