Number of different lineups since 6/12/07 - 3
After the win last night, the Brewers are sending their ace Ben Sheets on the mound against right hander Chad Durbin. The lineup today is very similar to yesterdays, with a few exceptions.
Hart, RF .294
Hart is still the best leadoff hitter until Weeks comes back, but many people probably expected Gwynn to be leading off today and playing right field, seeing as how they are going against a right handed hitter. I praise Yost for finally sticking with the hot hand and not playing into the matchups. Hart has prover offensively and defensively that he should be playing everyday, no matter who the opposing pitcher is. Gwynn will just have to wait until it is his time to be an everyday player.
Hardy, SS .282
No changes here, Hardyis batting where he belongs.
Braun, 3B .303
Braun struggled at the plate, going 0-3 with a walk last night, but he still is batting above .300, although in less games than the regular players.
Fielder, DH .295
Fielder is the only player on the team (with the exception of Braun) who has the plate discipline and skill to be the DH. As long as there is a decent replacement at 1B, I love having Fielder be the DH. It's kinda like having a half day off and you still have his bat in the lineup.
Hall, CF .263
This is where Hall belongs. He did bat 6th last night, and went 3-3 with a walk and 2 RBI's and 3 runs scored, account for all of the scoring offense. He raised his batting average over 10 points, and looks to be getting his offensive productivity going again. Although Gywnn is a more prototypical center fielder, Hall has been above average and has more potential to hit home runs and get RBIs, something they need more than Gywnn who has a high on base percentage.
Jenkins, LF .266
Jenkins has struggled lately, but his power numbers (11 HRs, 30RBIs) are right where you want them at this time in the season. He has been perfect in left field, and has yet to commit an error. Those stats should validate his spot in the 6 hole and his playing everyday.
Estrada, C .277
Most people are used to the Estrada that we saw at the beginning of the season - the one who easily bats over .300. people forget that he is .280 career hitter, which is better than any catcher we've had in the last few years (Chad Moeller anyone?) so johnny is once again hitting in a good spot - 7th.
Counsell, 2B .244
Counsell is good batting 8th because his on base percentage is .358, which is pretty darn good. His job is to get on base and get the pitcher's spot out of the way in a NL game, but since we are in an Al park, the pitcher doesn't hit. Hopefully Craig and Tony will continue to swing a hot bat and get on base so that the top of the order can bat them in.
Graffaninio, 1B .230
I like Tony playing 1B as long as Prince is still in the lineup (and he is, as the DH) but I never like it when Counsell and Graffanino bat back to back. Graffinino is certainly capable of batting higher than .230, but until he does you need to keep him down here.
I really don't have too much to complain about today. The top 5 in the lineup should always be set in stone (Weeks, Hardy, Braun, Fielder, Hall) but the injury to Weeks forces Hart to bat 1st instead of his normal spot 6-7. They should get a lot of offense out of this lineup, and Sheets and the bullpen should hold the Tigers under 4 runs. I guess we'll see how this game pans out.
pookon
www.pookon.com
No comments:
Post a Comment