The Braves Blog

Boxscore

The Braves are in serious trouble if they don’t properly utilize their players. Glaus needs more than a few innings off, and until he shows he can’t handle it, Diaz needs to be the everyday left fielder against lefties and righties.

With a bit of rest, I think Glaus can be effective down the stretch, but right now he is hurting the team by batting in the middle of the order while not able to produce. Cabrera, on the other hand, has shown that he can’t be a productive member of the team when he is playing everyday. Ankiel and Diaz should be given a chance to play everyday with Cabrera filling in when one of them needs a rest. If either of them show they can’t handle playing everyday either, then a platoon can be discussed.

Also keep in mind that by the time its determined whether or not Diaz or Ankiel can contribute as everyday players, Glaus might be rested up enough to resume playing every day. In that case, Hinske can be utilized in left field again. Even if Glaus shows that he needs to take a day or two off on a frequent basis, there is no reason that Hinkse can’t be played in left when Glaus starts, and at first when he doesn’t.