Look for Ender Inciarte to move back to the No. 2 spot in the batting order when the Braves host the Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Sunday night.
Manager Brian Snitker said he was considering lineup changes after the Braves fell into an 0-2 hole in the best-of-5 series with losses in the opening games in Los Angeles.
“Well, like I said, it's going to be the same guys,” Snitker said Saturday from SunTrust Park. “I mean, again, I reiterate, we are what we are. I'll probably bump Ender (Inciarte) back up to two where we had him against right-handers the last, what, three weeks or whatever it was. And you know, you're running that string of lefties, but historically and all year the guys have swung the bat well off left-handers.”
All pitchers available, except one
Snitker said that Kevin Gausman will be available out of the bullpen. The right-hander was scheduled to start Game 3 before the manager switched to left-hander Sean Newcomb.
“He'll be in the bullpen and be available as well, you know, everybody really. I'm not going to pitch (Mike Foltynewicz on Sunday). But, you know, all the other guys will be available.”
The Dodgers will start Walker Buehler in Game 3. Neither team has announced a Game 4 starter.
Foltynewicz started Game 1 of the series, but lasted only two innings and 50 pitches. Snitker could be holding Foltynewicz for a Game 4 start Monday, if necessary.
Backs against the wall
The Braves will have two days to digest the dire situation they find themselves in.
However, Snitker said he doesn’t plan to change his message. Although he acknowledged that some players may be pressing.
“They're trying,” Snitker said. “I mean, these guys want to do, you know, so well, and that's what happens in offensive slumps like this, team things, everybody wants to be the guy. And they put so much pressure on themselves. When you're hitting and everything's flowing and you get the line moving, guys are relaxed. They're not feeling that. When you go in -- you know, postseason, regular season, we went through this and guys just, they try so hard and want to be the guy, all of them.
“And so it's one of those things, we just have to relax and play our game. And easier said than done, especially when you're facing the quality pitching that we are. We faced two guys that were just so good and never missed spots, never made a mistake. And so, you know, they get it. They know.
Snitker doesn’t want to focus on the three wins needed. Just one.
“I don't know that I have to tell them any more about the situation that we're in,” he said. “And we just gotta win tomorrow. That's it. We don't have to win three in a row. We gotta win one in a row right now. That's all we gotta do.
“And again, as I've said all year, the most important game we're going to play is today's. And that's been like that for six and a half months. So we gotta win one in a row right now is all we gotta do.”
