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Atlanta Braves: It’s time to shake up the lineup

By Jake Mastroianni

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - MARCH 12: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during the Grapefruit League spring training game at Champion Stadium on March 12, 2019 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - MARCH 12: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during the Grapefruit League spring training game at Champion Stadium on March 12, 2019 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO – APRIL 09: Dansby  Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves hits a 3 RBI home run in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 09, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – APRIL 09: Dansby  Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves hits a 3 RBI home run in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 09, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

How does the rest of the order lineup?

Again, I think it all starts at the top for the Atlanta Braves. They have to get more production from their leadoff hitters, and their best hitters need to get more at-bats.

But if Acuna is going to hit leadoff, then that makes the rest of the lineup a little awkward.

We assume Donaldson is stuck in that two-hole, but if Dansby Swanson keeps swinging the bat like he has been, I think he could be a great fit to hit second.

Here is my ideal lineup based on the way players are swinging the bat right now.

1. Acuna

2. Swanson

3. Freeman

4. Donaldson

5. Markakis

6. Albies

7. Catcher

8. Inciarte

I really think Donaldson needs to hit either fourth or fifth in this lineup. Eventually, he’s going to get his power stroke going, and I’d rather him do that with runners on base ahead of him.

Markakis can hit anywhere two-six, and Albies either hits first, second, fifth, or sixth for me.

Until Ender starts to have better at-bats, he needs to stay in that eighth spot, and whoever is catching should always bat seventh.

I’m a little worried about putting Swanson that high as I don’t want to add any pressure to him, and you never really want to mess with a good thing.

More from Tomahawk Take

The more likely lineup that Snitker would use is this:

1. Acuna

2. Donaldson

3. Freeman

4. Markakis

5. Swanson

6. Albies

7. Catcher

8. Ender

I would not be opposed to putting Freddie in the two-hole either if Acuan is going to hit leadoff. And then you could have Donaldson hitting third and Markakis fourth.

The more I think about it, having Acuna and Freeman hitting first and second is a great way to start a game.

Point being, our best hitters need to get more at-bats, and it’s time to shake things up in the lineup. We need to make sure Acuna is always batting in the first inning, and as much as possible.

Next. Time to make Freeman a Braves for life?. dark

This offense can still be elite with all of the talent they have, but hopefully Snitker does not get stuck putting the same lineup out every day. It’s time for a change, and let us know in the comments what your ideal lineup looks like.

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