The Atlanta Braves host a split-squad version of the Houston Astros today at 1:05. Most of the regulars are getting some action today.
Braves Lineup:
1. Martin Prado, LF
2. Nate McLouth, CF
3. Chipper Jones, 3B
4. Brian McCann, C
5. Dan Uggla, 2B
6. Freddie Freeman, 1B
7. Alex Gonzalez, SS
8. Wilkin Ramirez, RF
9. Jair Jurrjens, SP
Braves Pitchers: Jair Jurrjens, Eric O'Flaherty, Craig Kimbrel, Scott Proctor, Cristhian Martinez
Astros Lineup:
1. Michael Bourn, CF
2. Anderson Hernandez, 2B
3. Hunter Pence, RF
4. Carlos Lee, LF
5. Matt Downs, 1B
6. Oswaldo Navarro, 3B
7. Tommy Manzella, SS
8. Humberto Quintero, C
9. Bud Norris, SP
As I said, most of the regulars are getting the start with the exception of Jason Heyward, who has a sore back but isn't serious. Wilkin Ramirez gets another start in the outfield, and it looks like the Braves are really ramping up the plate appearances for the outfield candidates lately.
Nate McLouth makes his second straight start in center after the sore shoulder sidelined him for a few days. He went 2-4 with two singles Saturday.
I do like how Freeman is placed sixth in the order ahead of Gonzalez. It's really not a big deal, but I think he should be higher in the lineup than Gonzalez, even if it is seventh instead of eighth. And if McLouth falters, he would move to sixth, which is a production spot. He certainly shouldn't be eighth.
As a note, I mentioned yesterday how I couldn't find any news on why O'Flaherty didn't travel with the team when he was supposed to. He had a tight back and was held out, according to David O'Brien. He is scheduled to appear today.
It is a split-squad Astros team - the other half is playing the Tigers in Lakeland - but Houston is still sending a good chunk of their regulars to Disney. Bourn, Pence and Lee should give Jurrjens some good at bats.