Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez now stands alone in his penchant for mixing up his lineup.
Gonzalez sent out his 25th different lineup combination for his team’s 25th game on Sunday, making the Braves the only team in the majors to use a different a different lineup combination in every game (not including pitchers). The Rangers had done so in their first 22 games before using the same lineup on Saturday against the Athletics as they did on Friday.
Managers typically like using a consistent lineup but Gonzalez is working with a roster short on everyday players. Just three players have been lineup regulars: right fielder Nick Markakis, shortstop Andrelton Simmons and first baseman Freddie Freeman.
A.J. Pierzynski has become the primary catcher with starts in eight of the past 11 games. But he will get the occasional day off like all players at his position.
Gonzalez moved Markakis, Simmons, Freeman and Pierzynski to the top half of the batting order during a series at the Phillies two weekends ago. He’s mixed and matched at the other five positions while also varying the batting order behind those four.
Jace Peterson has started 19 games at second base but no other Braves player aside from the four regulars has started more than 13 games at their position.
