Lineup talk

by jonk on Apr 3, 2009 10:07 AM EDT

Ok, if you're the manager, what would you make the lineup look like?

One thing I often make note of is that L-L or the L-L-L isn't a liability against a left handed starter. Or, not a big one since your lefties HAVE to face him no matter what. They often tend to be more of a liability against right handed starters because that is when Manuel lumps them all together and gives the opponent the perfect opportunity to throw a lefty reliever. The goal is to put your players in the best spot to win.

Anyway, I'd go with this lineup:

Victorino
Utley
Rollins
Howard
Werth
Ibanez
Feliz
Ruiz

Biggest change is putting Rollins 3rd, but that is the perfect spot for him. Batting 3rd is a good spot for speed and decent free swingingness. This separates the lefties fairly nicely as well.

Hey it may happen, Manuel switched Utley and Howard on the first day of the season 2 years ago.

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I kind of like that lineup

For early in the season to see if Victorino can handle fulltime leadoff duties. If he can,that lineup can be really deadly. The one thing that worries me, is that if we put Rollins in the 3 hole, does he try to much to hit the ball out of the park instead of playing his game?

Overall though, I would be thrilled with this as an opening day (even week) lineup to see if it works.

by Chris Haines on Apr 3, 2009 11:03 AM EDT reply actions

Hitting the ball out of the ballpark is part of Rollin’s game.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 3, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

power

Rollins is a considerably good power hitter given his position, especially when you look at his doubles and triples totals. Tons of extra base hits. Power and speed are his game.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Apr 3, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

If you were to just go by straight OBP, it would be something like this:
Utley, Werth, Howard(?), Ibanez, Victorino, Rollins, Ruiz, Feliz, Pitcher

I think the best compromise between this and reality would be to lead off with Rollins and just move everyone else down one spot.

by taco pal on Apr 3, 2009 11:15 AM EDT reply actions

So what are the odds of this lineup being the one that Charlie trots out there this season?

IN the world of ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ – the rationale would probably be – well we won with rollins leading off last year – so we can do it again this year?

Is this a line up they trotted out during spring training at all?

Isn’t there a bunch of stuff online where you can ‘project’ the optimal batting order?

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on Apr 3, 2009 1:36 PM EDT reply actions

My lineup

Sorry guys….but Rollins just tends to suck when he drops in the order. It’s got to be a mental thing, and I don’t know if that’s because he WANTS to hit leadoff or he’s just not used to hitting in RBI situations….ergo..he’s my suggestion (which is probably similar to last years lineup)
Rollins
Utley
Werth
Howard
Victorino
Ibanez
Feliz
Ruiz
Pitcher

I move Utley up a spot to even further split up the lefties (and get him more ABs). Werth may be out of place in the 3-hole, but he hits with power and can run. Putting him behind Howard roadblocks him on the bases a little as well.
The bad part is that this might lead to more IBB/UIIBBs to Utley and puts the three Zs at the bottom of the lineup which could be a disaster if it’s reminiscent of (Tomas) Perez, (Alex) Gonzalez, and Ruiz, the last time we had the zorro outskateers batting in succession I believe.

by Bilzo on Apr 4, 2009 7:19 PM EDT reply actions