HOUSTON -- One of the big stories going to Game 5 of the World Series was the Astros dropping the struggling Alex Bregman from his customary third spot in the lineup. He ended up delivering an RBI double, too, while hitting in the No. 7 hole for Houston. Might something similar happen with Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies in Game 6?
Albies has hit third every single game so far this postseason. Since going 2 for 5 in Game 1 of this series, however, Albies is 1 for 13 with five strikeouts. He'll hit seventh on Tuesday night (follow along here for live updates), coincidentally the same spot to which the Astros dropped Bregman.
"He's scuffling a bit," said manager Brian Snitker. "We just want to change the look."
Here's the Braves' lineup for Game 6:
1. Eddie Rosario, LF
2. Jorge Soler, DH
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
4. Austin Riley, 3B
5. Adam Duvall, CF
6. Joc Pederson, RF
7. Ozzie Albies, 2B
8. Travis d'Arnaud, C
9. Dansby Swanson, SS
Albies, 24, hit .259/.310/.488 (105 OPS+) with 40 doubles, seven triples and 30 homers in the regular season, which is the line of an extra-base machine. In his last 12 playoff games this year, however, he has just one extra-base hit, a double in Game 6 of the NLCS. He's slugging just .271 in that time.
Albies is still a valuable player on defense even when he's not hitting, but the Braves could sure use his bat to come around in order to help them clinch their first World Series title since 1995. The trick worked for Dusty Baker, Bregman and the Astros for Game 5. Snitker and the Braves are hoping for a similar breakout from Albies.
