Arizona Diamondbacks’ Justin Upton waits to bat against the Colorado Rockies during a baseball game in Phoenix.ATLANTA – Fredi Gonzalez sat down and started writing out projected lineups last week as soon as he heard the Atlanta Braves had traded for Justin Upton.
It didn’t take long. The manager says making out lineups just got easier.
Gonzalez used 107 lineups last year, sometimes adjusting due to the opposing pitcher.
He said his juggling days are over. He says Justin Upton will be the No. 3 hitter. Older brother B.J. Upton, who signed with Atlanta in November, and catcher Brian McCann, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, will follow in the middle of the lineup.
“When you have B.J. and Justin and a healthy McCann, that’s the middle of your lineup,” Gonzalez said. “It doesn’t matter who is pitching against you that night. Those are your three. Having those three there, it’s going to be a little easier.”