The Braves followed through on their plan to rest some regulars Thursday in the series finale against the Mets.
Freddie Freeman and Ender Inciarte had the night off, with Ryan Flaherty starting at first and Adam Duvall manning left field. Ronald Acuna shifted to center.
“This was something Freddie and I talked about the other day,” manager Brian Snitker said. “It was on the schedule. Just to get some guys at-bats because I don’t know which way we’re going to go (with the postseason roster). So in this instance, we’ll try to get a few guys in there and get them some at-bats in case we go a certain direction.”
Flaherty and Duvall are on the bubble for a postseason roster spot. Neither has illustrated much positive value with the bat. Duvall snapped an 0-for-18 run with his double Sunday against the Phillies, while Flaherty is hitless in his past 22 at-bats.
Despite the “day off” for Freeman, Snitker expects he’ll get to pinch hit or sub in late. The Braves have a one-win advantage over Colorado for home-field advantage in the National League Division Series, but trail the Cubs and Brewers by three wins with four games remaining.
Snitker acknowledged there’s some difficulty in constructing his regulars-lacking lineup knowing what’s on the line.
“A little bit (difficult),” Snitker said. “But I made that lineup out, looked at it and I really liked it. I felt really good about it quite honestly.”
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