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Atlanta Braves: Updated Opening Day Lineup Preview

By Kit Anderson

Sep 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) catches a fly ball against the Detroit Tigers in the eighth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) catches a fly ball against the Detroit Tigers in the eighth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Braves lineup just got a lot better by adding veteran Brandon Phillips.

The Atlanta Braves have officially added Brandon Phillips to their roster and will have an improved lineup because of it. The Braves were expected to platoon Jace Peterson and Sean Rodriguez at second. With the recent accident that Rodriguez was in he will have to have surgery that could be season ending.

While it is unknown exactly how long Sean Rodriguez will be out he is expected to be gone for at least the majority of the season.  The Braves were obviously not comfortable with Jace Peterson being the sole second baseman and went out and acquired a solid option in Brandon Phillips.

Phillips has spent the majority of his career with the Reds and will be coming back to his hometown of Atlanta.  Phillips is a solid hitter who enjoys making the flashy plays that Braves fans will enjoy and will help put people in seats going into the new stadium.

Phillips should bat 6th in the Braves current lineup making it a much better lineup considering what it looked like after Rodriguez was taken out of it.  Here is the Braves projected opening day lineup for 2017:

1. Ender Inciarte – CF

2. Dansby Swanson-SS

3. Freddie Freeman-1st

4. Matt Kemp-LF

5. Nick Markakis-RF

6. Brandon Phillips-2nd

7. Adonis Garcia-3rd

8. Tyler Flowers-C

Overall the addition of Phillips makes the Braves’ starting lineup a lot deeper and puts less pressure on both Garcia and Flowers. Phillips isn’t a powerful hitter but a good situational hitter who should hit .280 or better and offer above average defense.

If the Braves lineup can pick up from where they left off last season, the offense could be the best within their own division. The problem for the Braves will be a pitching staff that is counting on two starters well over forty.

Next: Braves Off-season Targets

If the Braves want to become surprise contenders this season they are going to have to lean on an under-rated lineup and hope that their pitching staff exceeds expectations. This season should be an interesting one for Braves fans one that will see them begin to head back in the right direction.

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