Braves make Drake Baldwin lineup change ahead of series opener with Rays
· Yahoo Sports
Drake Baldwin has been one of the Atlanta Braves’ most important young bats this season. That made his spot near the top of the lineup an important part of the team’s recent success.
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But the Braves are making a notable change as they begin a series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Baldwin will hit cleanup Tuesday night instead of leading off. It marks the first time he has occupied the No. 4 spot since July 11.
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The move comes after a difficult series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Baldwin went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Monday’s finale and struggled throughout the four-game set.
Atlanta appears ready to give him a different role against Tampa Bay. Instead of asking Baldwin to start the offense, manager Walt Weiss will look to him to provide damage in the middle of the order.
The official Braves lineup confirms the change. Michael Harris II moves into the leadoff spot, while Ronald Acuña Jr. bats second and Matt Olson hits third ahead of Baldwin.
Baldwin has plenty of experience carrying an important offensive role for Atlanta. The 24-year-old catcher has hit .276 with a .353 on-base percentage, 22 home runs and 69 RBIs across 121 games this season.
He also brings plenty of recent experience behind the plate and at designated hitter. That gives Weiss some flexibility as the Braves try to keep his bat productive while changing his place in the order.
The timing makes the adjustment even more interesting. Atlanta enters Tuesday with an 85-59 record and a four-game lead over the Phillies in the National League East.
The Rays present a different challenge. Tampa Bay owns an 85-58 record and currently sits atop the American League East.
Moving Baldwin to fourth does not signal a major change in his importance. It simply gives Weiss another way to use one of Atlanta’s best young hitters as the Braves enter a crucial part of the season.
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