Number of different lineups since 6/12/07 - 2
Tonight's lineup is a lot like the one that I predicted, with a couple of exceptions.
Hart, RF .288
Until Rickie Weeks gets back from injury, and as long as they are playing against a left handed pitcher, Corey should be in the leadoff spot. He's not your typical leadoff player, but he has been getting on base and stealing bases, something that you want your leadoff hitter to do.
Hardy, SS .278
Perfect placement of a player with Hardy's caliber. He hopefully will put the ball into play with Hart on base. Hopefully he will get some RBI's to add to his already impressive total.
Braun, 3B .317
It's good to see Braun back into the lineup after an off day on Tuesday. You can question his defense all you want, but he has been above average so far this year. There's no doubt after the no hitter on Tuesday that we need his bat in the lineup.
Fielder, 1B .295
Everyone is waiting for Fielder to go yard so that they can make comparisons to his Dad Cecil (who played for Detroit) and reminisce about Prince's days as a young boy hitting baseballs into the stands of old Tiger Stadium. Prince is a beast, and I guarantee that he will hit one in this series.
Mench, LF .282
I predicted that Mench would play against a left handed pitcher, but I didn't expect him to bat 5th. It makes a little bit of sense, but I would still like someone who works the count and takes pitches to be hitting 5th versus Mench who swings away at the first pitch.
Hall, CF .252
The 6 spot is ideal for Bill Hall, who like JJ is struggling but still needs to play every day on account of their fantastic defense. Bill Hall has been a wonderful surprise in center field, we're just hoping that his bat gets going before this season is in the tank.
Estrada, DH .273
This one was a complete surprise to me, but now that I think about it, it makes a little more sense. He's one of your better hitters, although his is capable of having a higher batting average. While he is still struggling, it's nice to see him hitting 7th instead of 5th.
Miller, C .226
I really didn't expect Miller to be getting the start today, seeing as Estrada is a switch hitter and there is a day game tomorrow. I want Jenkins to play every day, because he is a far better defender than Kevin Mench, but since Miller is starting, that gives you little options for a DH, which is why I think Estrada is in there instead of Jenkins or Mench.
Graffanino, 2B .230
Until Weeks comes back off the DL, someone has to play 2nd base, and it might as well be Tony. Counsell is a natural shortstop, while Tony has been a 2nd baseman for most of his career. I'd rather have him there, plus it gets his right handed bat in the lineup. Graffanino should never hit higher than 7th, so I like him batting 9th tonight.
We'll see how this all pans out during the course of the game, but I'll be back later to post my observations and results of tonight's lineup.
Hart 2-4, double and a walk
Hardy 2-4
Braun 0-3, walk
Fielder 1-3, R, walk
Mench 0-4
Hall 3-3, 2R, 2RBI, walk
Estrada, 2-4
Miller 0-4, RBI
Graffinino 1-4
Brewers took some walks and put up 11 hits, but stranded a lot of men on base throughout the game. they kept the strikeouts down (3) but failed to come through with clutch hits with runners in scoring position. They scored 2 of the 3 runs via the homerun, which has been a problem of late, and they also only scored 3 runs in the ball game. Luckily, the pitching staff held the Tigers to 2 runs, but that wwill not always be the case. A big shoutout goes to Carlos Villanueva, who came in last minute for Capuano, and Carlos pitched well for 5 innings, giving up only 1 run. This offense did just enough to win the game, but they need to score more runs if they plan on beating good teams like Detroit. They got lucky this time.
-pookon-
www.pookon.com
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