Just when the Atlanta Braves needed some type of juice in their lineup, Freddie Freeman is set to make his return against the Colorado Rockies. As Jason Heyward sits out following an appendectomy, the Braves replace a struggling Heyward for a hopefully now healthy Freeman.
Freeman missed action following an oblique injury. It wasn't too serious of an injury, but the Braves preferred to take caution and place their first baseman on the disabled list despite his displeasure.
The Braves face the Rockies, who are tied with Atlanta for the best record in the majors at 13-5. Following the Braves horrid week where they went 2-4, they seemed to have lost their magic. Now, with Freeman injected into the lineup and backing up Justin Upton, the Braves hope this could revive their offense they died off over the weekend.
Here's the Braves starting lineup:
1. Simmons SS
2. B.J. Upton CF
3. Justin Upton LF
4. Freeman 1B
5. Johnson 3B
6. Gattis C
7. Uggla 2B
8. Reed Johnson RF
9. Minor P
Mike Minor will take the hill and complete the lineup for the Braves. Minor has pitched great baseball in his first start going 2-1 with a 0.95 ERA. The Braves lineup will face a struggling Jeff Francis who is 1-1 with an 8.25 ERA through three starts in 2013. He's allowed 11 runs in 12 innings so far in the young season. Francis is a former ace and was a key figure in guiding the Rockies to the 2007 World Series. However, it seems like those days are long gone.
The air will likely not be as thin as usual given that it was snowing heavily on Monday, but maybe playing in Colorado will fuel this Braves lineup who has struggled in recent games.
