ChicagoCubs720 Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 Right now I am following the Brewers-Cardinals game on MLB Gameday, and it really got me thinking about Tony LaRussa's stragedy. Here's what I think: -the worst hitter in the lineup (usually the pitcher), should bat the least amount of times, therefore bat last. -depending upon your lineup, batting the pitcher 8th could be beneficial. For the Cardinals, I don't think it is. Here's why: as demonstrated in the top of the 6th of tonights game, Suppan loaded the bases as he went through the heart of St. Louis' order. He was then able to strike out Kelly Stinnett to get to Looper, the 8th hitter. LaRussa did hit Ankiel for him, but what if Looper was pitching well or if it was early in the game. What then? I understand the logic behind this, but I believe it's flawed. Why would you insert a "second lead-off man" (your Brendan Ryans, Brian Bardens, etc.) in front of David Eckstein? You want guys on base for people who can advance the runner and/or score them. David Eckstein is known for doing neither, since he is a lead-off man. This made me think about other team's lineups. Could Lou Piniella do this with any success? I think he'd have more of a chance succeeding then LaRussa. And it's all because of the type of lead-off man in the Cubs' lineup, Alfonso Soriano. Soriano is a power-hitter. He collects many extra-base hits. Eckstein does not. Very often, there is nobody on base for Soriano because the pitcher/bottom of the order has just hit. If someone like Ryan Theriot hit 9th, Soriano might be able to collect more RBIs. See what I'm getting at? Tell me what you think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abc006 Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 Doesn't make much of a difference, about .05 RPG, but still: http://www.baseballmusings.com/cgi-bin/Lin...g8=.235&Model=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazmatsui10 Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 the marlins used to do this too w/ d-train Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistonj92 Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 If the tigers had a fast guy in the organization.Maybe we can call up Ovandy Suero. I think it would be very beneficial with Granderson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwinginSoriano Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 If they want more people in front of Pujols, bat him cleanup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HardcoreLegend Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 If they want more people in front of Pujols, bat him cleanup. Then he gets less at-bats over the year. He also is less likely to come up one last time in the 9th inning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChicagoCubs720 Posted October 5, 2007 Author Share Posted October 5, 2007 If the tigers had a fast guy in the organization.Maybe we can call up Ovandy Suero. I think it would be very beneficial with Granderson. i didn't know the pitcher hits in the AL :smile: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abc006 Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Here's a good article on it by the Hardball Times: http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/...the-eight-slot/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazmatsui10 Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 i didn't know the pitcher hits in the AL :smile: :jive: ooooooh.... he meant interleague p'raps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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