LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The Braves used a lineup Friday that could be a preview of what they’ll use against some if not most lefties when the season begins, depending on who gets the fifth and final outfield spot.
In their next-to-last Grapefruit League game, facing Tampa Bay lefty starter Adam Wilk, the Braves had newcomer Drew Stubbs in center and batting leadoff, Tyler Flowers catching and batting seventh, and Gordon Beckham at second base and batting eighth. Stubbs, Flowers and Beckham bat right-handed.
The primary starters at those positions against most right-handers will be center fielder Ender Inciarte, catcher A.J. Pierzynski and second baseman Jace Peterson, and Inciarte is also expected to play plenty against lefties.
Another right-handed hitter, Jeff Francoeur, started in left field Friday and batted sixth. Right-handed hitter Hector Olivera is the primary left fielder, though Francoeur could get some starts against lefties at either corner outfield spot.
Stubbs signed a minor league contract Wednesday and is competing with left-handed hitter Michael Bourn and switch-hitting utilityman Emilio Bonifacio for the last outfield spot. The Braves would like to have a right-handed hitter with some power to be the backup to Inciarte. They expect to make their final roster decisions before Saturday afternoon.
Although manager Fredi Gonzalez has said it won’t be a straight platoon at second base with Peterson and the right-handed-hitting Beckham, he’s used Beckham against lefties this week after saying lineups in the last week of camp would closely resemble what Gonzalez planned to use in the regular season.
Gonzalez said Friday that Pierzynski would catch Monday’s season opener against Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer, and Flowers would catch Game 2 Wednesday against lefty Gio Gonzalez.
The Braves’ full lineup Friday: 1. Stubbs CF, 2. Erick Aybar SS, 3. Freddie Freeman 1B, 4. Adonis Garcia 3B, 5. Nick Markakis RF, 6. Jeff Francoeur LF, 7. Flowers C, 8. Beckham 2B, 9. Jhoulys Chacin P.
