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Braves catching duo of Sean Murphy, Travis d'Arnaud proved flexibility on opening weekend

The duo of Braves catchers each made their presences felt on opening weekend

Noah Griffith

The duo of Sean Murphy and Travis D’Arnaud shared duties behind the dish this weekend, while they combined for five starts through three games.

D’Arnaud made it obvious that he needs to be a mainstay in the lineup with a 4-for-5, two-RBI game on Opening Day as the DH. The Braves took notice, and he started all three games – two at DH and one at catcher on Saturday. He had hits in each game this weekend, 6-for-13 in total.

Murphy didn’t show off the bat yet in two games, but he flashed his skills defensively on Sunday by gunning down an attempted steal from Victor Robles. While Murphy went 0-for-7 with a walk this weekend, the Braves seem to have the luxury of playing to both guys’ strengths each time out.

That’s not to say Atlanta will play both guys for 162, but it can ride the hot hand without exhausting the fire with that DH position available to D’Arnaud.

Facing two lefty starters versus Washington forced Eddie Rosario to the bench both times, putting Marcell Ozuna in left field and leaving that DH spot available to whatever hot bat is available, which this weekend, was D’Arnaud.

But in that game when they faced a righty, Rosario filled in in left field, and Ozuna started at DH. Ozuna had his best game in this role, launching a no-doubter to left field, and it allowed D’Arnaud to give Murphy a rest from catching and keep his glove broken in.

Atlanta will have a shot to continue this trend against St. Louis, as they will face two righties in games one and three, Jake Woodford and Miles Mikolas, and a lefty, Steven Matz, in game two.

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Noah Griffith
NOAH GRIFFITH

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