J.P. Martinez to make first Braves start in Kelenic’s absence

The 28-year-old outfielder has appeared in three games for the Braves so far, but this will be his first start

With Jarred Kelenic still recuperating from the wrist issue he suffered on a diving catch up in Boston, the Braves are giving 28-year-old outfielder J.P. Martinez a start for the first time this season.

Martinez hasn’t really hit at all anywhere, so the real advantage he has is batting left-handed. Even though Nationals scheduled starter Jake Irvin has been really good this year, he’s had less success against left-handed batters. Martinez, though, has a 43 career wRC+ and had a 90 wRC+ at Triple-A Gwinnett prior to his callup.

The Braves also continue to hit Sean Murphy behind Orlando Arcia, which, I really don’t get. But, Murphy continues to replicate the early-season grounderitis his teammates all suffered from while he was recuperating from his oblique injury, so oh well, I guess.

The Nationals, who are apparently not fans of capitalization, will deploy the following against Chris Sale:

It’s pretty similar lineup to what we’ve seen from them in the past, with Ildemaro Vargas starting at the keystone because Luis Garcia Jr. hits left-handed and Chris Sale throws left-handed. Drew Millas starts at catcher in what will be his 13th career start. The Nationals haven’t actually used this lineup or starting nine before, and a few guys in this arrangement have only hit in today’s spot in the batting order once before this season.