Ender Inciarte and Ozzie Albies are again topping the Braves lineup. Don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
Inciarte and Albies have hit first and second, respectively, in the past three games after not doing so since June 3. The Braves have tested different combinations in an effort to solve the putrid production they’ve had atop the batting order.
Their reunion has been successful. They’ve combined to reach safely in 17 of 35 plate appearances (.486 on-base percentage) in the past three games.
Inciarte, the gold glove center fielder, has under-performed expectations coming off a 200-hit season. He’d led off in 36 games entering Monday, producing a .242 average with a .293 on-base percentage. He’s hit .229 (8-for-35) in the first inning.
He’s been moved around the lineup, hitting sixth or seventh in 29 games, and even ninth in seven affairs. Inciarte’s 20 steals are third-most in the majors, though 13 came in April.
"I personally think we're at our best if (Inciarte's) leading off and doing what he's capable of doing," said manager Brian Snitker, who reiterated his belief in Inciarte as a lead-off man following Sunday’s win over Baltimore.
Albies, meanwhile, has cooled since his MVP-caliber performance earlier in the year, in which his 22 extra-base hits in April fell one short of the MLB record. He’s hit .230 over his past 29 games, though he’s hit .444 (12-for-27) in his last six.
The leading All-Star vote-getter for the league’s second baseman, Albies is first in the National League in extra-base hits (41), second in doubles (23) and runs (58), and tied for fourth with 16 homers.
The Braves still see tantalizing potential with the pair atop their order, and the past few games have illustrated what they’d hoped – especially Sunday.
Inciarte drew a lead-off walk and advanced to third on Albies’ ensuing single. Albies snagged second on the throw. It brought up first baseman Freddie Freeman with two in scoring position and none out. Freeman singled both runners home.
“It showed you yesterday in the first inning what they’re capable of doing, how they can impact the game by running the bases, and they did,” Snitker said. “They put themselves in position to get the lead. Just some aggressive, good, hard base running. You can put a lot of pressure on teams and they know that. Coming out of the box looking for two (bases), Ozzie getting to second base like he did, catching the defense, things like that. What we’ve talked about since spring training is our base running being a weapon.”
It’s worth wondering how Ronald Acuna’s return, expected later in the week, could affect the lineup. The Braves’ prized rookie hit second in 25 of his 29 games before being placed on the disabled list over a month ago. He hit .248 with a .313 on-base percentage in 112 plate appearances in the 2-hole.
Snitker will not budge from the Inciarte-Albies dynamic. Acuna is expected to hit in the middle of the order upon his return.
“There were some different circumstances when he was here before,” Snitker said. “We’ll wait and see when he gets here, but right now I’d probably say he’d hit down in the middle (of the lineup) instead of up top because I like what we’ve got up there right now.”
The Braves are in first place despite dreadful production at the top. If Inciarte and Albies can consistently play as they did against the Orioles, the offense would certainly welcome the new dimension.
