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Bob Melvin drew up a new lineup for tonight’s homestand opener. Two points. Billy Butler is starting at first base for the first time, and Marcus Semien is leading off for the first time.
Here’s why.
Butler moves off the DH spot so that Ben Zobrist can work himself into the lineup and test his tender left knee. Zobrist missed three games and pinch hit in the ninth inning in Anaheim on Thursday.
Semien is hitting first because Craig Gentry, who usually leads off against lefties, has opened the season 0-for-22 and struck out all in four at-bats Tuesday.