3 lineup changes Reds manager Terry Francona must make ahead of series vs. the Giants

Terry Francona has forgotten more baseball than most Cincinnati Reds fans will ever know. But the Reds' skipper sure has been running out some rather peculiar lineups of late.

While some of Francona's lineup decisions can be attributed to the injuries to players like Matt McLain, Austin Hays, and Tyler Stephenson, there are other factors at play as well. Francona is an old-school manager — something Reds fans had been clamoring for — but with that comes some antiquated practices.

The Reds wrapped up their series in Milwaukee over the weekend, winning just one game, and they now head out to the Bay Area for a three-game clash with the San Francisco Giants. Cincinnati lost 2-of-3 to San Fran a little over a week ago, and will have revenge on their minds. But Francona may need to make some adjustments to his starting lineup before the Reds begin the upcoming series against the Giants.

3 lineup changes Reds manager Terry Francona must make ahead of the series vs. Giants

Get Santiago Espinal out of the No. 2 hole in the Reds starting lineup

Santiago Espinal has started the past three games at second base while McLain has been nursing a tight hamstring. If McLain is back in the lineup for the upcoming series against the Giants, this issue will take care of itself. But if not, Francona cannot continue to run out a player with a career OPS below .700 ahead of his best player — Elly De La Cruz.

Espinal has been forced into action, in part, because of injuries to McLain, Hays, and Spencer Steer. And while keeping a right-handed hitter ahead of and behind De La Cruz in the lineup is wise, there are better options than Espinal. One of Blake Dunn or even the somewhat hobbled Steer would be better served hitting in front of De La Cruz. Francona could also just opt to move De La Cruz up in the lineup during McLain's absence.

Move Jeimer Candelario down in the Reds batting order

Injuries have thrust Jeimer Candelario into a position he shouldn't be occupying. If the Reds roster was completely healthy, Candelario would likely be battling for playing time as the Reds designated hitter. But with the role reserved for Steer, Candelario has been forced to play third base with regularity.

And while Candelario may have to be part of the Reds' everyday lineup at the moment, he should not be hitting fifth — and certainly not in front of Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Candelario has yet to find his swing this season, and belongs in the bottom-third of the Reds lineup.

Bench Jake Fraley in favor of someone (anyone) else

Speaking of the the bottom-third of the Reds lineup, let's talk about Jake Fraley. The Reds outfielder has been bad at the plate and in the field, yet despite his struggles, Francona continues to play him on a regular basis.

That has to stop, and it may take Nick Krall stepping in and optioning Fraley to Triple-A. The Reds have at least three, and maybe even four, other options down on the farm who belong on the roster in place of Fraley. One of Tyler Callihan, Will Benson, Noelvi Marte, or Rece Hinds should be called up this week, and Fraley should be sent down to the minors in order to get back on track.

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