6 years agoAtlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies is hitting eighth in the Braves lineup Thursday evening against the Cardinals. Albies is hitting ahead of the pitcher for the first time this season. The slugging second baseman has struggled in 14 May contests with a .194 batting average and only one home run. Albies spent most of the first month in the leadoff spot but has moved down in the lineup as his slump has progressed. Ender Inciarte has been the regular eighth hitter for Atlanta, so Albies could see extended time hitting at the bottom of the order while Inciarte is injured. Hitting eighth will severely limit Albies' run-producing and run-scoring opportunities going forward. Until he is in a more favorable lineup position, proceed with caution using him in your lineups.--Walt Clark
Source: Grant McAuley