Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez has done a nice job giving his hitters a night off this season, especially when it comes to Brian McCann and Chipper Jones. While there are capable replacements for each player on the bench, neither can bring what Mac or Chipper bring to the lineup on a nightly basis.
With an off-day looming on Thursday, Gonzalez has opted to rest McCann this evening against right-handed starter Kyle Kendrick. It's unusual for him to sit against a righty, but the night off will give the catcher about 72 hours of rest and will only require him to miss one game.
Dan Uggla, who sat on Tuesday as part of a scheduled day off, has returned to the lineup.
Let's take a look at the Braves and Phillies batting order for Wednesday.
Michael Bourn - CF
Martin Prado - LF
Jason Heyward - RF
Chipper Jones - 3B
Freddie Freeman - 1B
Dan Uggla - 2B
David Ross - C
Paul Janish - SS
Tim Hudson - P
And the Phillies:
Today's
— Mandy Housenick (@inthephilshouse) August 8, 2012#Phillies lineup: Rollins-6, Brown-7, Utley-4, Howard-3, Mayberry-8, Schierholtz-9, Kratz-2, Frandsen-5, Kendrick-1
First pitch from Citizens Bank Park is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.