Rain in Florida is putting the kybosh on many a spring training games today. The Braves-Pirates game has been pushed back to a 1:30 start time. Here is the lineup for Atlanta (notice the big change at the top):
Martin Prado, 2B
Nate McLouth, CF
Chipper Jones, 3B
Troy Glaus, 1B
Brian McCann, C
Yunel Escobar, SS
Jason Heyward, RF
Matt Diaz, LF
Jair Jurrjens, P
This is very likely the lineup we may see on opening day. It will be interesting to watch how long they keep Prado and McLouth switched, and if that works for both of them.
0 recs | 91 comments
I'm liking this change.
McLouth doesn’t seem to do well leading off an inning, hopefully Prado is better at it. McLouth definitely has better on-base skills than Prado, but as long as Prado can sustain a high batting average it should be no problem.
alligatorimpersonator - March 12, 2010
It would be nice...
To see Heyward get some protection. I like this only if a lefty in on the mound (although with a lefty I would think that Matty would bat higher in the order). I mean it’s awesome that Heyward has a great eye, and that he doesn’t swing at a lot of trash pitches, but I don’t want to see him walk because he’s being pitched around. I’ve said it before and I’m saying it now. The 2-hole is where he needs to be right now. Our lead off guys get better pitches to look at and he is protected by Chipper.
Just my opinion of course!
I Saw Buzz Beaned - March 12, 2010
I’d love to see Heyward in the 2-hole. Maybe not right away, but if he looks good lower in the order, I think the 2-spot would work great for him. He’s got great contact, power, and on-base skills that would profile well there. Not to mention some speed, too.
alligatorimpersonator - March 12, 2010
Heard that!
I Saw Buzz Beaned - March 12, 2010
Further down, I kinda wanna see the order be JHey, McCann, Esco… due to (a) speed of JHey; (b) propensity of Esco to hit into DPs.
carpengui - March 12, 2010
If you’re trying to avoid Escobar hitting into DP’s, wouldn’t you want Heyward batting front of him? That way if Heyward’s on first and Escobar is coming to the plate, Heyward could either steal second or get to 2nd base fast enough to break up a double play.
alligatorimpersonator - March 12, 2010
Possibly.. I admit I’m a little torn on that … you could almost say that my suggestion is a ‘surrender’ and assumes that if Brian is on base, he’s gonna get doubled up. In your scenario, JHey might need to be running a lot (which may not be a bad thing). But I fear that in the lineup above, Esco could become a rally killer.
carpengui - March 12, 2010
Escobar
is kinda funny, because he’s either a huge rally killer with all his GIDP’s, or he’s the guy driving in all the runs with his awesome OPS with RISP. He may kill a lot of rallies, but he’s still the best we have in hitting with RISP.
alligatorimpersonator - March 12, 2010
Or if not...
he’s big enough to scare the living piss out of anyone making the turn as he tries to break up a double play.
Mr. Sanchez - March 12, 2010
lets go Jair
I presume this is not on MLBN
nathan rothschild - March 12, 2010
Of course, they are showing the Yanks :(
HEYJUDE - March 12, 2010
It's not.
Start time 1:30 ET?
kreese555 - March 12, 2010
has it started? the MLB link for the radio hasn’t come up yet.
Dave_D - March 12, 2010
nor on XM
carpengui - March 12, 2010
No XM coverage at all today, it seems. The weather radar suggests that there’s a window of dryness that will allow the game to get going.
carpengui - March 12, 2010
No audio on iPhone MLB at bat 2010 app
This stinks. I have gotten very used to listening to the game at work in the few days I have had this app……
#FAIL
demsei - March 12, 2010
I don't know
why you think this will be the opening day lineup. We will be facing Carlos Zambrano, a RH pitcher, so Nate will lead-off and Melky will be the LF.
homerlanding - March 12, 2010
2 on for mccann
mlb gameday audio is working if you can get to the page
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
Is this one on the radio anywhere?
FineHamAbounds - March 12, 2010
JJurr in the 1st: K, FO to 8, GO to 3. I like it.
carpengui - March 12, 2010
This
HEYJUDE - March 12, 2010
Wow WTF
No audio?
Scott Coleman - March 12, 2010 via mobile
gameday audio
is working, just not showing on the mediacenter page
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
Will you keep us updated?
HEYJUDE - March 12, 2010
sure
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
Thanks!
HEYJUDE - March 12, 2010
Prado single; McLouth bunt single; E Pitcher – Prado to 3rd.
Chipper to first on FC which claims Prado at the plate.
Glaus batting – McLouth picked off between 2nd and 3rd.
Glaus walks. Chipper to 2nd.
McCann line out to Center. End inning.
carpengui - March 12, 2010
My link on all of that...
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2010_03_12_pitmlb_atlmlb_1
carpengui - March 12, 2010
ah thanks
sounds like a solid inning…except what’s the deal with McLouth getting picked off? That’s strange for him
alligatorimpersonator - March 12, 2010
That is ugly. 5 guys come to the plate. 4 get on base. 0 runs score. 3 outs are made. Ouch.
justincredubil02 - March 12, 2010
top 2nd
doumit singles to right
church flys out to left, 1 out
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
JJ
hitting 94
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
great
HEYJUDE - March 12, 2010
Hope he can get through 2 today.
carpengui - March 12, 2010
His velocity can vary
Sometimes 93-94, sometimes 89-90. But movement and location always good and the change is always outstanding.
nathan rothschild - March 12, 2010
crosby grounds out to SS, runner was on the move on a 3-2 count, doumit to second
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
walker flys out to left, 3 out
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
Exxxxcellent… I imagine that’ll do it for JJ today.
carpengui - March 12, 2010
Good inning for JJ, that's good news.
HEYJUDE - March 12, 2010
WIFN announcers
say they see a “funnel cloud that looks like a tornado” in the distance, not good
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
OMG, I would be running for cover!
HEYJUDE - March 12, 2010
Pulled up radar – there’s really nothing all at like that coming… though they may very well have a rain delay soon.
carpengui - March 12, 2010
Hmm, for some reason the WIFN link is not active on MLB for me…strange.
Dave_D - March 12, 2010
try
the link on http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=atl
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
That worked, thanks.
Dave_D - March 12, 2010
rain
has picked up, and the window “is closing”
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
Must have been a very small window. :(
HEYJUDE - March 12, 2010
escobar
lines off the P ohlendorf, he recovers to throw him out
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
LET HEYWARD HIT!
Scott Coleman - March 12, 2010
Bzzzt! But thanks for playing!
carpengui - March 12, 2010
Yet another reason too place him higher in the order. :D
carpengui - March 12, 2010
Rain Delay
FineHamAbounds - March 12, 2010
yep, right before heyward is to hit
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
The clouds should have parted for fear of being hit.
carpengui - March 12, 2010
HaHa
HEYJUDE - March 12, 2010
Crap
HEYJUDE - March 12, 2010
I'm the bad luck guy!
I swear! Last week, the MLBN blacked out the game and as soon as I logged on to the radio broadcast it went out of service. Then, I just got the audio going and they stopped play! Eff me I just want to see/hear the Braves!
kreese555 - March 12, 2010
Kudos to whoever picks up the obscure "we're the bad luck guys!" quote
kreese555 - March 12, 2010
I am not optimistic on continuing today
In about 10 more minutes, the rain will taper off significantly, and a very light patch will move in, but it won’t stop raining… maybe not for at least a couple of hours (depends on whether this system is being re-fed from the Gulf).
carpengui - March 12, 2010
Yeah, and why risk an injury playing on a wet field.
Weather looks good for the weekend.
HEYJUDE - March 12, 2010
U know whats really ill about this lineup.
R
L
S
R
L
R
L
R
Very balanced.
nick9314 - March 12, 2010
favorable lineup...
swapping mclouth and diaz/melky makes too much sense and i know it’s been discussed…
vs lhp
diaz- 921 ops
prado
chipper
glaus
mccann
escobar
heyward
mclouth- .711 ops
vs rhp
mclouth- 824 ops
prado
chipper
glaus
mccann
escobar
heyward
melky- 730 ops/ diaz-
imo, melky provides no offensive upgrade over diaz in a platoon role, as i think diaz could outperform his own numbers given the plate appearances vs. righties are not few and far between.
ryan c - March 12, 2010
I’d hit Heyward 6th above Esco when we’re facing a righty.
Scott Coleman - March 12, 2010 via mobile
reply fail...
see below
I
V
ryan c - March 12, 2010
yeah...
i do agree with you. i just tried to keep the lineup as steady as possible.
ryan c - March 12, 2010
Game is on!
Heyward at the plate.
Scott Coleman - March 12, 2010 via mobile
heyward grounds out to first
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
Hey guys. What’s crack-a-lackin?
justincredubil02 - March 12, 2010
diaz strikes out swinging, 3 out
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
jojo reyes in to pitch
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
Hello all...
dropping in to say hola….now going to watch my Vols play some basketball in the SEC tourny…all while pretending to work!
sddbaker - March 12, 2010
vazquez Ks, 1 out
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
bass singles to center
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
mccutchen singles to right, bass to second
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
cedeno doubles to left, 1-0 pirates
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
garrett jones pops out to short, 2 out
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
jojo reyes Ks doumit on a 3-2 fastball on the outside corner for out #3
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
bass walks jojo reyes on four pitches to lead off the bottom of the 3rd
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
prado walks on four pitches
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
mclouth Ks on three pitches, 1 out
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
I had a dream last night...
…that we traded McLouth for a boat load of cash and picked up Jayson Werth in the offseason….oh! What a glorious dream it was
thenightstallion - March 12, 2010
And where would he play?
Scott Coleman - March 12, 2010 via mobile
LF...
I’d assume, with Melky or Schafer in CF.
Mr. Sanchez - March 12, 2010
And then we’ll just get rid of MattyD?
No thanks on Werth. He’s already 32 and he plays in a hitters paradise. And he’d probably get something close to Jason Bay’s contract.
Scott Coleman - March 12, 2010 via mobile
No…no contract at all. Just a boat load of cash, a boat, and his own personal stick with fire on the end of it to carry around in his free time. Gotta love that beard!
thenightstallion - March 12, 2010
We’re giving him a boat load of cash, plus I assume we’d throw in the boat too, its a dream so I feel like anything is possible, so he’d play Center or Left. Unless he wanted to fight Heyward for right.
thenightstallion - March 12, 2010
chipper GIDP 4-6-3…… ugh
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
Chipper is leading all ST in GIDPs!
Jay212033 - March 12, 2010
wait
even more than Yunel?
drumzalicious - March 12, 2010
tarp’s back out again, another rain delay
they might just call it
atl192485 - March 12, 2010
Just end it already
None of the players wanna be there anyway.
Scott Coleman - March 12, 2010 via mobile
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