Braves make big lineup adjustment to, you know, Mix It Up

After a slow start to the 2021 MLB season, the Atlanta Braves will field a new starting lineup.

Though the Atlanta Braves‘ 4-6 start to the 2021 MLB season is a tad misleading, you are what your record says you are.

Even in a handful of defeats, there have been several positive takeaways for the club. Leadoff man Ronald Acuña Jr. is playing the best baseball of his career. The starting rotation looks infinitely better than it did a season ago. While the bullpen is concerning and should be necessitating general manager Alex Anthopoulos to pay Shane Greene his money, there are other glaring issues.

With only Acuña and catcher Travis d’Arnaud hitting above The Mendoza Line through 10 games, Braves skipper has decided to Mix It Up with his lineup card. These series of adjustments will hopefully bring out the best in first baseman Freddie Freeman, left fielder Marcell Ozuna and second baseman Ozzie Albies. Here is what the lineup will look on Tuesday vs. the Miami Marlins.

Atlanta Braves’ lineup vs. Miami Marlins, April 13

1. CF Ronald Acuña Jr.
2. 1B Freddie Freeman
3. LF Marcell Ozuna
4. C Travis d’Arnaud
5. 2B Ozzie Albies
6. SS Dansby Swanson
7. 3B Ehire Adrianza
8. CF Cristian Pache
9. SP Max Fried

In case you forgot, this lineup is very similar to what the Braves trotted out for the better part of the 2020 campaign. Acuña will stay at leadoff, but Freeman moves up a spot to the two-hole with Ozuna and d’Arnaud sliding up a spot to No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. Albies kicks down to fifth in the order with shortstop Dansby Swanson hitting behind him at No. 6 in the Braves’ batting order.

The other big takeaway from Tuesday’s night lineup is that third baseman Austin Riley is riding pine. Riley faces a lot of pressure at the plate. While he has big-time power, he goes on cold streaks at the plate far too often to be hitting better than seventh most nights in the Atlanta lineup. Despite a good glove at third, newcomer Ehire Adrianza gets the start at third on Tuesday.

Snitker is hoping that big Mixing It Up, his Braves offense will finally come to life in mid-April.