When Ender Inciarte saw Freddie Freeman’s name in the Braves lineup Tuesday against the Astros, the center fielder was as surprised as just about everyone else.
But after getting over the initial surprise at how quickly Freeman returned from the disabled list, Inciarte considered the lineup and came to a conclusion: It's impressive.
“There’s no easy out in this lineup,” said Inciarte, the leadoff hitter, who was followed in Tuesday’s lineup by Brandon Phillips, Freeman at third base, Matt Kemp, Nick Markakis, Matt Adams at first base, Tyler Flowers, Dansby Swanson and pitcher Sean Newcomb. “Everybody can put good at-bats against any pitcher.”
Freeman, who hit .341 and led the NL with 14 home runs and a 1.209 OPS before he was injured, and suggested his position switch from first base to third base to keep hot-hitting first baseman Matt Adams in the lineup after Freeman returned from the DL. Braves officials initially were apprehensive, but came around to Freeman’s suggestion and agreed it made sense, if he was on board with the move.
So for the time being, and possibly the rest of the season, Freeman will play third base for the first time since rookie ball in 2007. Adams will stay at first base, unless and until the Braves trade him.
“It’s definitely a very deep and long lineup now,” Freeman said. “I think we’re going to have a lineup that’s going to be tough for managers to pick and choose where they want to battle, and it’s going to be tough for pitchers one through nine.”
Braves manager Brian Snitker, who accidentally wrote in “3” (for first base) beside both Adams’ and Freeman’s name in the lineup when he first wrote it out Tuesday, liked being able to pencil in so much firepower in a lineup for the first time.
“It’s pretty good,” he said of his first lineup with both Freeman and Adams in it. “It’s something that will get your attention. And that’s the reason we are trying this.”
As for Freeman’s rapid return from the DL — three weeks ahead of the intial 10-week estimate — Inciarte said, “He’s amazing. He’s a hard worker and mentally tough. He can play with pain. If he has pain or he doesn’t he’s going to play the same. Having someone like that who wants to be in the lineup every day means a lot. He wants to win and we want to win, and we feel we can keep surprising a lot of people. At the end of the year hopefully we’re going to play in the playoffs. I believe we can.”
Swanson was also asked about Freeman’s quick recovery and said, “Remarkable.” He smiled and added, “God’s good.”
