March 5, 2021 –
BY KEVIN MCALPIN
680 THE FAN, ATLANTA – On Friday, we likely got our first glimpse into what the Braves lineup will look like heading into the new year. Acuna, Albies, Freeman, Ozuna and d’Arnaud made up the top five in the Atlanta order as Brian Snitker got the reigning NL MVP back in the lineup for the first time. While Freeman thrived in the second spot in the order in 2020, without the luxury of the DH, Freddie will likely at least start the new year back in his familiar third spot in the order. In his first action of 2021, Freeman was hitless in two trips to the plate but did crush a long, loud foul ball in his first pitch seen. After the game, Freddie said he felt like he’s right where he needs to be with a little under a month to go until Opening Day.

Meanwhile, it was a handful of pitchers who stole the show on Friday as Kyle Wright tossed three scoreless, while Will Smith and Nate Jones also put up zeros in their one inning in relief. Today, we get our first glimpse of Charlie Morton this season as he matches up against his former club at 1:05pm ET. Morton, originally drafted by the Braves in 2002, spent the last couple seasons in Tampa, pitching in some big games for the Rays. His new teammates can’t stop singing his praises, complimenting him as a teammate and a mentor. Morton will likely open up the year as the number two or three in Brian Snitker’s rotation, depending on the status of Mike Soroka.

Kevin McAlpin has covered the Braves since 2012 for @680TheFan and the @BravesRadioNet.