Trayce Thompson could provide some power from third spot in the order for Dodgers

Trayce Thompson moves up to third in the order Sunday when the Dodgers take the field looking for a sweep over the Braves.

The third spot in the order, mostly occupied by Justin Turner, has been lacking this season when it comes to production. The output has suffered no matter who has hit there, with only four homers -- tied for lowest of any positional spot --  and a .648 OPS. Dodger pitchers have actually combined for three homers in the ninth slot of the order.

Thompson has clubbed nine homers this season, with two already in June while going 4-for-10 to start the month.

Kiké Hernandez gets the start in left field and seems to be pulling out of his long slump. After trudging through a near two-month slump that saw the outfielder go 4-for-57 from mid-April to the end of May, Hernandez has four hits in his last nine at-bats.

Manager Dave Roberts had said Saturday that Scott Van Slyke would be starting Sunday. The club wanted to get Hernandez a start and Roberts said everything is fine with Van Slyke and he will be starting a game soon.

Corey Seager was held hitless last night, but has posted a .309/.363/.602 slashline in his last 31 games. Since May 3, the Dodger shortstop has gone 38-for-123 with six doubles, 10 homers and 19 RBI. Overall, the 22-year-old leads the Dodgers in hits (62), runs (36), doubles (12, T-1st), homers (12) and RBI (31) and were he to continue his current pace, Seager would become the first Dodger rookie and just the sixth MLB rookie to lead his team in all five categories since 1920.

Yasmani Grandal has struggled mightily this season, hitting just .118 (8-for-68) since May 6.

The Braves will send a lineup to the plate that doesn't have much experience against the veteran left-hander, Scott Kazmir. Among the two that have faced Kazmir a considerable amount are A.J. Pierzynski (5-for-18 with three strikeouts) and Nick Markakis (11-for-26 with two homers and seven RBIs).