Although the Atlanta Braves officially activated superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. from the injured list on Monday versus the Miami Marlins after missing two weeks with a hamstring injury, we didn't get to see what the lineup would look like with the Braves icon back.
While the Braves still seem like they will be cautious with Acuña's usage, at least while the club is still on turf in Miami, their five-time All-Star will certainly be back in the lineup for good shortly. With Acuña back, a lineup shakeup will certainly follow.
Predicting the Braves lineup with Ronald Acuña Jr. back
Although Drake Baldwin has performed phenomenally in the leadoff spot in Acuña's absence, with the catcher leading off nine of the 14 games the Braves played without their star right fielder in the lineup, Acuña's high on-base percentage and lack of power to start the season only makes sense to lead him off in his return.
This would give Drake Baldwin and Matt Olson more chances with a runner on base to knock in runs. Baldwin especially has been excellent at changing his approach with runners on to avoid outs and drive in runs.
Even though Baldwin and Olson are both left-handed, it still would make sense to have them hit back-to-back against left-handed pitching. However, Walt Weiss has seemed fairly committed to batting Ozzie Albies third against southpaws.
With Ha-Seong Kim back manning short, the Braves will likely platoon Mike Yastrzemski and Mauricio Dubón in left field, though Kim's performance going forward might quickly alter how the Braves use their super utility player.
Against righties, the Braves lineup will like go as follows:
1. Ronald Acuña Jr. - RF
2. Drake Baldwin - C
3. Matt Olson - 1B
4. Ozzie Albies - 2B
5. Michael Harris II - CF
6. Austin Riley - 3B
7. Dominic Smith - DH
8. Ha-Seong Kim - SS
9. Mike Yastrzemski - LF
The Braves could flip flop Albies and Riley, or could even hit Harris cleanup, even if it meant the Braves would have three straight lefties in the lineup.
However, against lefties, the lineup will look significantly different. Drake Baldwin will likely DH to keep his bat in the lineup while giving him a break behind the plate. This forces Sandy León into the lineup, and Dominic Smith out.
Lineup versus left-handed pitchers:
1. Ronald Acuña Jr. - RF
2. Drake Baldwin - C
3. Ozzie Albies - 2B
4. Matt Olson - 1B
5. Austin Riley - 3B
6. Michael Harris II - CF
7. Ha-Seong Kim - SS
8. Sandy León - C
9. Mauricio Dubón - LF
Of course, Tuesday's lineup might look different. The Braves will likely let Acuña DH, leaving Baldwin at catcher. The Braves will likely start José Azócar in right field, leaving Yastrzemski on the bench.
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