Are Lineup Inconsistencies Hurting The Atlanta Braves?
By Dan Horton
Not too long ago I wrote about the Atlanta Braves having a problem, and that it was something I considered, at the time, a good thing. Options, and the ability to interchange a lineup can be good, but only in moderation. Fredi Gonzalez has seemingly gone overboard after diving head first into his lineup construction.
The Braves have, I think, a perfect meld of seasoned veterans and young talent. However, I think Fredi has gotten a little too excited with his options, and I believe it’s starting to show. Have the Braves come crashing back down to earth after the 5-0 start? It appears so, but the argument I have has everything to do with consistency.
In 14 games this season, Gonzalez has used 14 different lineups. The obvious question here should go something like this: Where is the consistency?
How can we expect this team to perform consistently night in and night out if Gonzalez keeps running out a different lineup every night? No one has the chance to settle in and get into a rhythm. We don’t have everyday players, we have everyday utility guys.
If we had a recurring lineup, I think we would see better results. With April coming to a close, I’m sure this game of musical lineups will become more consistent. But I’m afraid at that point, it may be too late. The first month is used to get comfortable, establish a rhythm, and settle in at everyday spots. We have yet to see anything like that.
With the exceptions of Nick Markakis in right field and hitting 3rd and Freddie Freeman at first base hitting 4th, the lineup has seen someone different in every game. I don’t think it’s coincidence that Markakis is hitting at a crazy clip (.362 BA and .464 OBP).
In the last two games, Jace Peterson and Philip Gosselin have each committed errors at second base, in back to back nights. I’m not saying neither of those errors happen if the guy playing game 1 was there game 13 or 14, but it definitely makes you think. Those errors ended up being huge mistakes too.
Peterson was the opening day starter at second, but he has been platoon-ed so much, he hasn’t had a chance to settle in and find comfort there. Which leads me to my next point.
Fredi loves to platoon guys. Again though, a platoon is fine, as long as it is in moderation. Fredi has had a platoon in LF, CF, 2B, and 3B. The interesting thing is, the least production is coming from those spots in the lineup. Is an over-platoon beginning to show? Possibly.
Is the over use of more than one set lineup beginning to result in inconsistent play? I think so. Guys are striking out more than they were in just a weeks time. Hitters are getting too aggressive in the batter’s box. It’s a vicious cycle that I think Fredi unintentionally put the Braves in.
I understand the match ups. Lefty versus righty and what-not. When is enough, enough? .500 baseball? A losing April? You can set a lineup for a RHP and one for a LHP. One for AL parks, and one for the NL parks. But find one and leave it be.
If slumps develop, then you can adjust who you put in the lineup. But at this rate, the entire team will be in a season long slump. Until some sort of consistency becomes evident, then I’m afraid we may be in for the season we all envisioned when this roster was put together. Not the season that saw Atlanta jump out to a 5-0 start.
What’s your thoughts? Is Fredi G. misguided in his platoon philosophy? Would you like to see a more consistent lineup? Let us know your thoughts, and let us even hear your rants. Can this team re-group?