Buck wants J.J. Hardy out of the 2 hole

[mark_beckens]

You think Roberts should get the most AB on the team?

You think Betemit should be hitting 8th against RHP?

If Roberts is healthy, he will be the lead off hitter. What position did I put Betemit in?

[mark_beckens]

Right, but who was it directed at?

Anyone who don't think lineup protection is legit.

[SrMeowMeow]

Anyone who don't think lineup protection is legit.

Why not quote the second half of my post? Now I just have to say the same thing again.

The argument against batting Hardy second has nothing to do with lineup protection. I don't think it's even been mentioned. His OBP was terrible, and wasn't great in his best seasons. He should bat lower in the order.

[mark_beckens]

Why not quote the second half of my post? Now I just have to say the same thing again.

The argument against batting Hardy second has nothing to do with lineup protection. I don't think it's even been mentioned. His OBP was terrible, and wasn't great in his best seasons. He should bat lower in the order.

I already answered that with the quote below. Hardy isn't a 2 hitter, but I don't think we had anyone "perfect" for the job last year.

[mark_beckens]

Please explain why someone so important to the offense should be batting 4th instead of 3rd. I really don't understand that statement.Tradionally your best hitter bats 3rd. Jones batting 3rd instead of Wieters makes sense on two levels. He's the better hitter and he has much more speed. They get on base at just about the same rate but Jones is the more productive hitter. I'd rather have Wieters driving in Jones than the other way around, which is more difficult anyway, with Wieters running. I don't have a huge problem with Wieters 3rd and Jones 4th, mostly because Jones batted 4th last year, and maybe he likes it there and Wieters has said he prefers to hit 3rd. However, I see no logical reason, other than player's preferences, for doing it.

I don't understand that logic either. Less AB's batting 4th then 3rd. You don't want Matt clogging up the base paths for 4/5 hitters.

edit: I'd put Davis 4th before Wieters

[MachadOboutManny]

Got to get JJ out of there. In an ideal world, I would have Rob leading off with Nick 2nd, but JJ just isn't a #2 hitter, it looked painful for him much of the season. Move him down and free his mind and bat!

[SrMeowMeow]

I already answered that with the quote below. Hardy isn't a 2 hitter, but I don't think we had anyone "perfect" for the job last year.

Arguable, but I don't think anyone thinks we had an ideal option. I just don't understand the random swipe about lineup protection that had nothing to do with anything, but I'm over it.

Please explain why someone so important to the offense should be batting 4th instead of 3rd. I really don't understand that statement.Tradionally your best hitter bats 3rd. Jones batting 3rd instead of Wieters makes sense on two levels. He's the better hitter and he has much more speed. They get on base at just about the same rate but Jones is the more productive hitter. I'd rather have Wieters driving in Jones than the other way around, which is more difficult anyway, with Wieters running. I don't have a huge problem with Wieters 3rd and Jones 4th, mostly because Jones batted 4th last year, and maybe he likes it there and Wieters has said he prefers to hit 3rd. However, I see no logical reason, other than player's preferences, for doing it.

Latest articles I read about lineup optimization recommended putting the two best hitters at #2 and #4, not #4.

[MurphDogg]

You don't want Matt clogging up the base paths for 4/5 hitters.

Yeah, you don't want runners on when you have power hitters up.

[WietersCorner]

Lineup:

Vs RHP:

McLouth

Markakis

Jones

Davis

Wieters

Betemit

Hardy

Flaherty

Machado

Vs LHP:

Markakis

Reimold

Jones

Wieters

Hardy

Davis

Machado

Valencia*

Casilla

*The Orioles will probably acquire a player this offseason that would move Valencia to AAA. For instance, we could add Carlos Lee as a 1B/DH that would platoon vs LHP.

[CA-ORIOLE]

Latest articles I read about lineup optimization recommended putting the two best hitters at #2 and #4, not #4.

Your "Best" hitters are debatable (OBP vs SLG breakdown), but 1,2 and 4 are more important than 3 from what I've read. In the end, it's not really all that important if your best 5 hitters are in the to 5 positions and I'd typically give the nod to player preference over the statistical answer in most cases.

[mark_beckens]

Arguable, but I don't think anyone thinks we had an ideal option. I just don't understand the random swipe about lineup protection that had nothing to do with anything, but I'm over it.

As a former player and coach. It matters who bats infront and behind. The stats may not be able show much of a difference. But ask any player if it matters. I'm sure most will say it does.

[SrMeowMeow]

As a former player and coach. It matters who bats infront and behind. The stats may not be able show much of a difference. But ask any player if it matters. I'm sure most will say it does.

"Human sacrifices affect the weather. There may be unlimited direct evidence showing that they don't, but ask any shaman. They'll back me up."

And yes, if you're curious, I am saying that lineup protection equals human sacrifice.

[CA-ORIOLE]

"Human sacrifices affect the weather. There may be unlimited direct evidence showing that they don't, but ask any shaman. They'll back me up."

And yes, if you're curious, I am saying that lineup protection equals human sacrifice.

I think he was being sarcastic again.

[mark_beckens]

"Human sacrifices affect the weather. There may be unlimited direct evidence showing that they don't, but ask any shaman. They'll back me up."

And yes, if you're curious, I am saying that lineup protection equals human sacrifice.

Opinions = arse holes. Some are just bigger then others.

[zero1]

I don't really get it. He wants him out of the 2 hole? Is he implying that Dan is forcing him to bat him 2nd in the lineup?