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Would you bench Davis against LHP?

Brion McClanahan

By Brion McClanahan
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Brion McClanahan

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Davis's career OPS is 100 points lower vs. LHP. With the Orioles roster as projected, do you think it would be a good idea to let Trumbo DH (he has more even career splits) and let Mancini play first while Davis is on the bench vs LHP? I know Davis is the better defensive infielder, but the Os will face a Red Sox team with three LHPs, a Toronto team with two, and a Yankee team with one out of shape LH starter. The Os could run out an all RH lineup and have some thunder on the bench with Davis, Kim, Smith, and maybe Alvarez off the bench in the future. The Os have been experts at juggling a roster, so could this be the year of the platoon?

Vs LHP:

Rickard LF, Gentry RF, Machado 3B, Trumbo DH, Jones CF, Schoop 2B, Hardy SS, Castillo C, Mancini 1B

Vs. RHP:

Smith RF, Jones CF, Machado 3B, Davis 1B, Trumbo DH, Schoop 2B, Hardy SS, Castillo C, Kim LF

I know this would create a problem with pitchers. The Os would still need Joseph and Flash, so that would give the Os only 11 pitchers. Something has to give, and I would think it is either Mancini or Rickard.

Thoughts?

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Just Regular Hangout Grand Counsel

Just Regular

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Occasionally.  But even if he scuffles at bat v. LHP, the glove makes him the starter most days regardless.

The first pickle for Buck will be how far can he move him down the order against the Chris Sales of the world if the April/May returns continue to deteriorate. 

The next one is hopefully another couple years off, but the deluxe pickle will be when does he get pinch hit for in late and close games vs. LOOGYs.  The first time it is going to be a mini-version of when Manny Alexander pinch ran for Cal.

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Tx Oriole Hangout Grand Counsel

Tx Oriole

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2 hours ago, Brion McClanahan said:

Davis's career OPS is 100 points lower vs. LHP. With the Orioles roster as projected, do you think it would be a good idea to let Trumbo DH (he has more even career splits) and let Mancini play first while Davis is on the bench vs LHP? I know Davis is the better defensive infielder, but the Os will face a Red Sox team with three LHPs, a Toronto team with two, and a Yankee team with one out of shape LH starter. The Os could run out an all RH lineup and have some thunder on the bench with Davis, Kim, Smith, and maybe Alvarez off the bench in the future. The Os have been experts at juggling a roster, so could this be the year of the platoon?

Vs LHP:

Rickard LF, Gentry RF, Machado 3B, Trumbo DH, Jones CF, Schoop 2B, Hardy SS, Castillo C, Mancini 1B

Vs. RHP:

Smith RF, Jones CF, Machado 3B, Davis 1B, Trumbo DH, Schoop 2B, Hardy SS, Castillo C, Kim LF

I know this would create a problem with pitchers. The Os would still need Joseph and Flash, so that would give the Os only 11 pitchers. Something has to give, and I would think it is either Mancini or Rickard.

Thoughts?

No I wouldn't.

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sportsfan8703 Hangout Grand Counsel

sportsfan8703

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7 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Worth noting that Davis' HR on Wednesday came off a tough lefty, J.A. Happ.

Bingo. They don't get much tougher than Happ. Other than Davis' HR Jones had a first row homer and that was it. 

In fact, depending on how Ubaldo's start goes tonight, we may see Mancini go down for Miley and keep getting the extra bullpen arm. 

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backwardsk Hangout Grand Counsel

backwardsk

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1 hour ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Bingo. They don't get much tougher than Happ. Other than Davis' HR Jones had a first row homer and that was it. 

In fact, depending on how Ubaldo's start goes tonight, we may see Mancini go down for Miley and keep getting the extra bullpen arm. 

Although that could happen, I really doubt it.  We have four guys in the pen who haven't reached the field yet.  Multiple guys with options if you have to burn through guys.  I don't believe the Rickard/Mancini/Gentry resolution happen before the 15th.

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weams Hangout Grand Counsel

weams

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On 3/30/2017 at 3:33 PM, Aristotelian said:

I would not have signed him for $160M...but if I did, I would not pay him that much to be a platoon player. I think it would be fine to rest him on occasion and it would make sense to do so against LHPs and give Mancini some reps.

Correct.

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