re: The ATL Thread™: Opening Day 3/30 Braves @ gNats

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I want Harris to eventually be the 2-hole guy if his bat continues to improve with Riley 3 and Olson 4 so you don't have 2 lefties back to back.

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I’d be fine with that, but analytics and having the DH full time now have kinda changed lineup construction philosophy. Especially with a lineup as deep as the Braves’. Olson is a prototypical 4-hole guy, but I think they like him in the 2-hole with Riley offering him protection. He should get a lot of fastballs hitting in front of Riley, and there’s really nobody else that could offer that same kind of protection.

Riley doesn’t need it as much as he’s a better overall hitter. And his protection, a lot like Dylan Crews (even though he does have White behind him), is gonna come from in front with guys on base. I think Olson is mainly in the 2-hole instead of Harris to start because of propensity to walk. Ronald leads off with a double or walk/single and stolen base, and Matt is going to be hitting with a runner on 2nd and no outs a lot. As a lefty without the shift, he can try to pull the ball to the right side to move Ronald over without completely giving himself up. A lot of those ground balls hit right into the shift last year could scoot through for singles and were up 1-0 after 2 batters. Or with a base open, he may be more patient than Harris, draw a walk, and Riley is up with a runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs.

I think 1-3 and Murphy in the 5-hole will be staples to begin the season. The 4-hole and 6-9 will change depending on who’s hot, but more importantly if we’re facing a RHP or LHP. I doubt Travis DHs much against righties, cause you take your backup catcher off the bench with both him and Murphy in the lineup.