SAN FRANCISCO – The Braves’ lineup had already started to click before Matt Kemp joined it four weeks ago, because the team had several key hitters all hot at the same time, something that never happened in the first months of the season.
But with the arrival of Kemp via trade from San Diego and the veteran’s immediate insertion in the cleanup spot between Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis, Atlanta’s offense went to a level the Braves hadn’t seen in some time.
“His presence has been huge to the lineup,” Braves hitting coach Kevin Seitzer said. “He’s a swing-and-miss guy a lot, but he’s a frickin’ scary presence.