The Atlanta Braves have a decision to make as shortstop and leadoff hitter, Andrelton Simmons, is expected to return to the lineup. However, B.J. Upton, who took over the leadoff role over the weekend, has posted decent numbers at the top of the lineup. Should manager Fredi Gonzalez keep Upton as his leadoff or should he slide him back down to the five spot in the lineup?
Keeping Upton up top will help Gonzalez figure out how to further fill out the lineup during the absence of cleanup hitter, Freddie Freeman. With Upton leading off, Simmons could hit second followed by Justin Upton and then Jason Heyward. B.J. used to fill the fifth spot on the lineup, but either catcher Gerald Laird or Evan Gattis can bat sixth since both are making solid contact with the ball and they can be backed up by Dan Uggla, who's already blasted two solo home runs in 2013. Juan Francisco and Chris Johnson can follow in the seventh and eighth spots of the batting order.
More importantly, as the Braves now try to get healthy, B.J. has been getting hits at the top of the lineup. His first hit of the year proved pivotal as it tied Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Eventually, it opened the doors to victory as his brother Justin later hit the game-winning walkoff. Through the first three games of the season, B.J. went 0-11 with seven strikeouts. In the weekend series, B.J. went 3-9 with two runs, three walks and two stolen bases. He's been productive and can continue creating runs for the Braves with his speed.
Simmons, who was supposed to be the Braves' leadoff hitter, makes more contact than B.J. and gets on base more since he strikes out less. However, this last fact also makes Simmons a great No. 2 hitter in the lineup. In 17 at bats, Simmons has struck out only three times, the least of any Brave with at least 15 at bats in the season. Upton and Simmons could present a lethal 1-2 combo at the top of the lineup because of the speed they provide.
Currently, the Braves offense is atop of the league in homers, however, their production is down as a number of these have come with the bases empty. Heyward is struggling and he bats in front of Justin, so bringing two speed guys to the top of the lineup can only increase the chances he can bat with guys on base. B.J. hitting at the leadoff spot has created a change in his approach and is helping become more patient. Simmons can then move him over and Justin can step up to the plate with a chance to give the Braves an early lead without the necessity of a home run.
The Braves go into Miami to play the Marlins. The Braves are 5-1 in the season and hope Paul Maholm can pick off where he left off after pitching 5.2 innings of scoreless baseball in his first start of the season. The Marlins will have Kevin Slowey on the mound.
