One big decision that looms for the Atlanta Braves as Opening Day is fast approaching is what the batting lineup will look like, mainly the middle to back of the order.
We have a pretty good indication of who will be in the top of the order with Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, Freddie Freeman, and Marcell Ozuna. But with guys like Austin Riley and Dansby Swanson showing out down in Grapefruit League action, the fifth spot is wide open.
92.9 The Game Braves reporter Joe Patrick joined the Midday Show with Andy and Randy to talk about who will likely bat behind Ozuna.
"I think it's going to be (Travis) d'Arnaud mainly just because that seemed to work last year and Brian Snitker just seems like a guy who wouldn't want to change from that plan that worked," Patrick told Andy and Randy.
"Having said that, I certainly think Dansby Swanson is very capable of batting wherever you need to have him in the lineup. I think that he's going to really have a breakout year this year. If you look at his trend line over the last few years, he's just gotten better and better and I could see him batting in the two-hole on occasion...we will see that spot behind Ozuna get mixed up a little bit, and I think that Dansby Swanson will certainly be one of those players that Brian Snitker will turn to."
