Potential Lineup
by joeljr on Mar 21, 2009 4:12 PM CDT
Email
PrintLineups are always fun to talk about even though there are good arguments that they don't matter that much. It just doesn't feel right that that could be true.
On Jesus Ortiz blog he notes that Cooper could have Pudge hitting 2nd.
http://blogs.chron.com/baseballblog/archives/2009/03/pudge_could_bat.html
I guess it comes down to the lesser of two evils. (for me anyways) Bourn or Pudge. I think the only other possibility is Pence but I would like him 5th were he should have more rbi chances. Neither Bourn nor Pudge are good obp guys although Bourn is suppose to be "improved." If they really think he can handle the bat better particularly in bunting where I think there is the best chance for improvement he should be in the 2 hole. If they don't see that improvement go with Pudge.
Also if you have Bourn in the 2 it gives strengthens the back end of the lineup so its not three easy outs. I guess that all depends on Bourn taking that step forward. I really don't believe it that much.
Cooper states the obvious. Kaz leads off, Berkman 3rd and Lee clean up. But I disagree with him on saying Tejada has to hit 5th.
Pence would be more productive than Tejada in the 5. He is simply going to bring more power and rbis than Tejada and less gdp.
Matsui - Bourn - Berkman - Lee - Pence - Tejada - Rodriguez - 3B - P
Thats how I would start the season. If Bourn is playing poorly and Pudge is not then I move Pudge to the 2, 3B to the 7 and Bourn to the 8.
Unless CJ makes the team and is hitting well then thats a whole nother story.
8 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Personally, I don't like the idea of Pudge hitting 2nd.
Unless he suddenly recovers his hitting ability and can hit above .250. I think Pence needs to bat 2nd.
On another note, I’ve been trying to figure out the optimal Astros lineup as outlined here. I looked at the CHONE projections for the Astros’ starters posted on fangraphs.
1) Tejada (.337/.441)
2) Pence (.337/.448)
3) Kazuo (.325/.382)
4) Berkman (.403/.528)
5) Lee (.354/.522)
6) Bourn (.320/.350)
7) Pudge (.295/.386) (personally, I think this is awfully pessimistic; FWIW, Marcel predicts .308/.400)
8) Blum (.301/.377)
9) Pitcher
This changes depending on what Johnson does. If he comes up and hits well, you could probably put him in the 3 spot and bat Kazuo #7. CHONE predicts .290/.377 for Johnson, but projections from limited time in AAA seem to be mostly guesswork. The same caveats go for Bogusevic, who’s projected for a .331/.400 season. If that actually turns out to be realistic and Bourn continues to struggle, then I’d bat Bogusevic 3rd and put Kaz in Bourn’s spot.
Anyways, it’s a very odd looking lineup, but I kinda like it. The problem with the Astros is that we have one awesome hitter (Lance), one great hitter (Carlos), two or three good hitters (Tejada/Hunter/Kaz), and a pile of crap after that. Moreover, all of the good/great/awesome hitters have essentially the same skills (except for Lance, who adds a spectacular walk rate).
My reasoning for the lineup goes as follows: Tejada and Pence are projected for equal OBP values, but Pence is much more powerful than Miggy, so Tejada bats leadoff. Lance is clearly the best hitter on the team, so he bats 4th. Carlos is Lance with less OBP and SLG, so he goes 5th. Bourn can steal bases in front of the singles hitters who follow him.
I agree with you that all of the bats are pretty similar. Particularly that the OBP are generally very low. Thats the biggest problem with this group.
I think Kaz will have a higher OBP than Tejada so he has to lead off.
Putting your best guy 2nd I don’t buy. He won’t have as many rbi oppurtunities. You’ll have your 9-1 hitting in front of him most of the time. If you don’t buy in to that (like me) I think it makes the rest of it fall apart. Especially the number 3 not meaning anything.
If you have to good OBP guys in the 1-2 you should have guy to drive them in. The Book argues that #3 comes to bat with outs and no one on. Yet that completely contradicts the whole purpose of putting good OBP guys in the 1-2.
Id go 1-2 great obp, secondly speed and for the 2 good bat handling.
3 your best hitter. 4 great situational hitter with power/rbi skills.
5 solid all around hitter. 6-7-8 decending order.
I’m not buying this line of thinking either, and I don’t think Cooper will go against conventional thinking either.
That being said I also agree that Matsui has to leadoff until Bourn proves that he is capable. However, I don’t like Bourn hitting second at all, even if he is hitting well and has a solid OBP. My reasoning is that his speed may be better utilized lower in the lineup (not eighth but maybe 6th or 7th) where his speed can be utilized. I don’t like the idea of him trying to steal tons of bases with Berkman in the box.
I think Blum (if he isn’t platooning) would be a good fit at #2 seeing as he’s a good contact guy who (if Matsui is frequently on base) can take advantage of the hole between first and second.
Obviously this thinking changes if there’s a lefty on the mound. Any thoughts?
by captain_bomb_2000 on Mar 22, 2009 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Matsui, Blum, Bourn
I’m not sure Matsui, Bourn and Blum should be in the starting line-up.
Maysonet showed a little spark today at second. Unless Matsui does something the next two weeks, I’d sit him.
Blum has been the invisible man this spring. I’m leaning to Chris Johnson.
I supported Michael Bourn last year based on his defensive skills alone. But his offense seems to have gotten worse, not better. A Chronicle blogger today brought up the idea of signing (are you ready?) Jim Edmunds. After blinking a few times, I’m thinking maybe a Jim Edmunds/ Darin Erstad tandem would be more productive than other options. (though realistically Astros won’t sign Edmunds)
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Mar 21, 2009 7:43 PM CDT reply actions
No way Maysonet over Matsui
He hit two homers today, and other than that hasn’t done anything. Kaz has proven he is a legit major league hitter over the last few years.
I like Bogusevic in CF, I don’t trust Bourn to go anywhere. Blum at third for his defense.
My lineup
1.Matsui
2.Bourn
3.Pence
4.Berkman
5.Lee
6.Tejada
7. Rodriguez
8.Third Baseman
9. Pitcher
Speedsters are at the top. Assuming they get on base, I figure Pence the most powerful of the three could knock them in. Even if he could’nt Berkman and Lee would be next. The rest is basically straight forward.
?
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
TCB Tweets!
Current Series
3 game series vs Rockies @ Minute Maid Park
|
Colorado Rockies
Friday, Apr 6, 2012, 6:05 PM CDT |
||
| Sat 04/07 | 6:05 PM CDT | |
| Sun 04/08 | 1:05 PM CDT | |
NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chicago
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Cincinnati
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Houston
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Milwaukee
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
St. Louis
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
(updated 2.15.2012 at 6:04 AM CST)
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
