Machado in the two hole?

[weams]

Buck had a handle on what is best for the team last year and still had Hardy and his .280 OBP in the two hole all season, so I can't say I have complete trust in him here.

No Nick. No Nolan. No Manny. No Nate far a good part of that time. Lemonade.

[Can_of_corn]

No Nick. No Nolan. No Manny. No Nate far a good part of that time. Lemonade.

Even without the names above Hardy wasn't a good choice for hitting second.

[Frobby]

Even without the names above Hardy wasn't a good choice for hitting second.

Agreed, but I still trust Buck to make good decisions overall. Unlike some past managers, when Buck makes a decision I don't understand, I tend to assume it's because he's got good, subtle reasons that aren't apparent to mere fans like me, as opposed to just being dumb, old school decisions that aren't as good as decisions I could make just looking at the numbers. Buck has earned that trust in my eyes.

[Redgrape]

The pressure thing is irrelevant. Machado is a potential superstar player. Superstars will rise to the occasion.

[Can_of_corn]

Agreed, but I still trust Buck to make good decisions overall. Unlike some past managers, when Buck makes a decision I don't understand, I tend to assume it's because he's got good, subtle reasons that aren't apparent to mere fans like me, as opposed to just being dumb, old school decisions that aren't as good as decisions I could make just looking at the numbers. Buck has earned that trust in my eyes.

It is in my nature to question.

[mdbdotcom]

I was hoping Machado would get some ABs in the 2-hole this year. Until his power matures, it should be a good spot for him.

[oriole]

I think Reimold is a perfect candidate for the 2-hole. That could move up Jones from clean up and either Wieters or Davis sliding in there, which isn't really great but its what the O's are working with.

Heres my lineup vs Price

Markakis

Reimold

Jones

Wieters

Davis

Hardy

Pearce/Jackson

Machado

Roberts

That way if a RH relief pitcher is put in to face the 3 righties then McLouth can pitch hit and set it off a bit.

[larrytt]

There have been comments that Machado shouldn't bat #2 because of his .294 OBP in 2012. However, that was mostly because of a .284 OBP in 149 PA's against right-handed pitchers. Against lefties, in 53 PA's, he had a decent .321 OBP. That's a small sample size, but does indicate that perhaps his overall OBP in 2012 was misleading when he's against lefties. Add that he's got a .356 OBP so far in spring training in 59 PA's (only 15 against lefties, with a .333 OBP), and perhaps it's not such a bad idea having him bat #2 against lefties. I couldn't find his OBP against lefties in the minors, but he had a .359 OBP at AA in 2012 (459 PA). This would also be a judgment call by Buck - if he thinks Manny looks comfortable against lefties, then perhaps he can give this a try, and see if Manny rises to the occasion. I like the idea of having two batters at the top of the lineup before we get to our "Murderer's Row" of Jones-Davis-Wieters-Reimold-Hardy." (I include Hardy because he's over his shoulder problems and hopefully will hit more like he did in 2011 than he did in 2012.) I also think of Reimold as more of a slugger who should bat lower and get more RBIs - I don't like him batting #2.

I kind of like this lineup against lefties:

1. Markakis RF

2. Machado 3rd

3. Adam Jones CF

4. Matt Wieters C

5. Chris Davis 1st

6. Nolan Reimold LF

7. JJ Hardy SS

8. Steve Pierce DH (or Jackson in LF, Reimold at DH?)

9. Brian Roberts 2nd

Against righties:

1. Nick Markakis RF

2. Nate McLouth LF

3. Adam Jones CF

4. Chris Davis 1st

5. Matt Wieters C

6. Nolan Reimold DH

7. JJ Hardy SS

8. Manny Machado 3rd

9. Brian Roberts 2nd

[weams]

Even without the names above Hardy wasn't a good choice for hitting second.

Agreed, but I still trust Buck to make good decisions overall. Unlike some past managers, when Buck makes a decision I don't understand, I tend to assume it's because he's got good, subtle reasons that aren't apparent to mere fans like me, as opposed to just being dumb, old school decisions that aren't as good as decisions I could make just looking at the numbers. Buck has earned that trust in my eyes.

And he won 93 games with Hardy in the two hole. So there is that.

[Can_of_corn]

And he won 93 games with Hardy in the two hole. So there is that.

And if they had won 96 then the Yankees would have been the WC.

[MikeAD]

Agreed, but I still trust Buck to make good decisions overall. Unlike some past managers, when Buck makes a decision I don't understand, I tend to assume it's because he's got good, subtle reasons that aren't apparent to mere fans like me, as opposed to just being dumb, old school decisions that aren't as good as decisions I could make just looking at the numbers. Buck has earned that trust in my eyes.

Hes been right most of the time, and I agree with this outlook.

Hes with these guys for most waking hours, hes going to make the right choices.

[weams]

And if they had won 96 then the Yankees would have been the WC.

Yep. So you are saying we under-performed

[Can_of_corn]

Yep. So you are saying we under-performed

I am saying the lineup was suboptimal.

In Baseball:

Lots of times the right move doesn't work.

Lots of times the wrong moves works.

[weams]

I am saying the lineup was suboptimal.

In Baseball:

Lots of times the right move doesn't work.

Lots of times the wrong moves works.

Heck. I agree with this.

[QSII]

I don't think a sport that random will ever catch on.