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Yastrzemski’s move to fifth spot is the spark Atlanta needs
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- Yastrzemski’s move to fifth spot is the spark Atlanta needs
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Braves lineup was stuck in neutral for the first two games of this home series against the Arizona Diamondbacks . They managed just three runs and nine hits while watching the opponent take control. That kind of quiet offense is dangerous in August. The front office finally decided to shake things up for the Sunday finale.
A Bold Shift in the Order
According to Battery Power , the team moved Mike Yastrzemski up to the fifth spot in the batting order. This is the highest position he has held since mid-April. It is a clear signal that the Braves want more run production right now. They are facing right-hander Michael Soroka , who holds an 8-3 record and a 2.92 ERA. The move makes sense on paper, but it also shows urgency. Dominic Smith will serve as the designated hitter and hit seventh. Jim Jarvis returns to shortstop after Mauricio Dubón played there on Saturday night.
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The stats suggest this gamble could pay off. Current Braves players are hitting .With six strikeouts and four walks, the figure stands at 270 against Soroka. No individual has encountered him more than eight times, and no one holds more than two hits against him. Drake Baldwin actually has the only home run and two of the three RBIs for Atlanta against this pitcher. The numbers show that the lineup has found a way to hurt him before. Putting Yastrzemski in the heart of the order gives the team a better chance to build on those past successes.
Arizona Plays the Numbers Too
The Diamondbacks are not sitting still either. They shuffled their own lineup with Gabriel Moreno hitting third but resting behind the plate. James McCann will catch and hit eighth instead. Max Kepler starts in left field for the second straight game because Bryce Elder is pitching. Jorge Barrosa gets his first start of the series in center field and will hit ninth.
Young Bryce Elder has a strong track record against the current Arizona roster. Nolan Arenado is the only hitter with more than two hits against him, going 3-for-14. Overall, the active Diamondbacks are hitting just .200 against Elder with 14 strikeouts and only five walks. The Braves have a real opportunity here if they can avoid striking out. The matchup favors Atlanta's hitters if they can make contact early. A series finale often brings out the best in both teams as they fight for momentum.
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Can They Finish the Job?
This lineup change is the right call, but it must work. The Braves cannot afford to go home with their tails between their legs after a weak start. The team needs to use the data they have on Soroka to their advantage. They know the pitcher allows walks and can be hit. Yastrzemski at fifth is the key to unlocking that potential. If the team can get on base and drive in runs, they can turn this series around before the week ends. The fans at Truist Park are waiting for a spark.
