Ender Inciarte has rediscovered his bat in the 14 games since the All-Star break, and he got another try at leadoff - for one game.
Ronald Acuna, who’s played in every game since the break, rested game one of a doubleheader in Washington. Inciarte re-assumed his former leadoff duties, but went 0-for-4 in an 8-3 loss.
The Gold Glover center fielder has hit .340 (17-for-50) since stumbling into the break on a 1-for-21 run. He’s found a home in the bottom part of the lineup since Acuna took over leadoff July 20.
Acuna was inconsistent since returning from the disabled list in late June. But the move to leadoff energized him and stabilized perhaps the weakest point in the lineup. Acuna has hit .327 with a .403 on-base percentage, along with four homers and 12 runs scored, batting at the top of the order.
Inciarte posted a 200-hit season from the top in 2017, but his underwhelming production this season forced manager Brian Snitker to make a move. Inciarte slashed .227/.297/.271 with seven extra-base hits in 225 at-bats across 53 games.
The Braves oppose Nationals right-hander Jefry Rodriguez in the opening game. Inciarte has hit .400 against righties in the post-All-Star sample size. But Inciarte’s struggled against the Nationals, hitting .160 (8-for-50) against them in 12 games. His 4-for-21 posting in five games at Nationals Park is his worst in the National League East.
Max Fried started game one for the Braves, exiting after two innings with a left groin strain. Sean Newcomb faced Max Scherzer in the second game, when Acuna was re-interted at leadoff and Inciarte hit sixth.
