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Washington Nationals: How will the lineup look with Daniel Murphy?

ByTom Sileo|
CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 16: Daniel Murphy #20 of the Washington Nationals reacts while waiting to bat in the first inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 16, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 16: Daniel Murphy #20 of the Washington Nationals reacts while waiting to bat in the first inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 16, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Daniel Murphy’s return to the Washington Nationals will provide a big boost, but where does the All-Star slugger best fit in the 2018 lineup?

It’s impossible to exaggerate how much Daniel Murphy has meant to the Washington Nationals since arriving in 2016. In two All-Star seasons, Murphy has hit for a .334 average with 48 home runs and a staggering 197 RBI. He also led the National League in doubles both years.

With Murphy’s long-awaited return from off-season knee microfracture surgery imminent, how will Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez fit the 33-year-old slugger into his lineup?

Since the Nats will be using a designated hitter for the next five games in New York and Toronto, let’s start there.

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Washington Nationals lineup vs. right-handed pitchers (w/DH)

  1. Adam Eaton – RF (L)
  2. Trea Turner – SS (R)
  3. Bryce Harper – CF (L)
  4. Matt Adams – 1B (L)
  5. Anthony Rendon – 3B (R)
  6. Daniel Murphy – DH (L)
  7. Juan Soto – LF (L)
  8. Wilmer Difo – 2B (S)
  9. Pedro Severino – C (R)

While some might argue that Murphy should be higher in the lineup against righties, it would be hard to justify batting him ahead of the powerful Adams, who has been playing at a high level since Spring Training.

Batting Rendon ahead of Murphy would also help Martinez avoid three consecutive left-handed batters in this week’s lineup.

Washington Nationals lineup vs. left-handed pitchers (w/DH)

  1. Trea Turner – SS (R)
  2. Bryce Harper – RF (L)
  3. Anthony Rendon – 3B (R)
  4. Daniel Murphy – DH (L)
  5. Mark Reynolds – 1B (R)
  6. Juan Soto – LF (L)
  7. Michael A. Taylor – CF (R)
  8. Wilmer Difo – 2B (S)
  9. Pedro Severino – C (R)

Moving Murphy up to the cleanup spot makes sense with the left-handed hitting Adams and Eaton on the bench. It also creates an ideal righty-lefty balance within the lineup.

Next: What makes Miller successful

Will Murphy be ready to play second base, where he made six errors in ten rehab games at AA Harrisburg, when the Nationals resume playing games in NL stadiums? We will probably find out during the second game of a June 18 doubleheader against the Yankees at Nationals Park.

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