The night before each game, Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell distributes the lineup to the players.
Bell announced his biggest lineup change since May 2021 in the early afternoon before Tuesday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Bell considered starting the Reds with TJ Friedl, Matt McLain, and Jonathan India. Bell decided on Tuesday after sleeping on it.
On Tuesday, David Bell made one of his biggest lineup changes, moving second baseman Jonathan India from the leadoff spot.
In 2021, Bell moved India up the order. The Reds' top three batters were power hitters Eugenio Suárez, Jesse Winker, and Nick Castellanos before India became the leadoff hitter. Friedl, McLain, and India lead the Reds in 2023.
Bell chose this order to separate Friedl and outfielder Jake Fraley as the Reds' two left-handed hitters, stretch their lineup by having Spencer Steer hit sixth, and put India in position to drive in more runs.
In Tuesday night's 8-5 setback, India grounded out to close the game. Friedl and McLain's ninth-inning hits rallied the Reds. The Reds' quickest runners and best hitter in India were on base for McLain's game-tying run.
MLB lineup philosophy has changed in five years. Fast players in the top third play more. Managers are more flexible regarding which players they deploy in which roles.