****7/2 Royals @ Jays Game Thread****
 

Trying my luck here -- and I'm only starting this thread today because Frenchy IS NOT batting 5-hole today. So, that has to be a good Omen, right??! RIIIGHT?

Oh well ****!

6:07pm CST first pitch.

Teaford (0-1, 5.06 ERA) vs. Romero (8-2, 4.94 ERA)

Line up:

Gordon
Escobar
Hosmer
Butler
Moose
Frenchy
Perez
Bour-whatever.

Let's hope the team plays to their competition -- LET'S GO BOYS IN BLUE!!!

I am really scared to see Escobar moved in the lineup. He is on a tear though so if there was ever a time to try him in the 2 hole its right now. Even if it goes bad he can go back to the 9 spot after the break.

And I forgot Betancourt.

LMAO

That's a shame.

I hope eventually Alcides becomes the leadoff hitter with Gordon batting second.

Why?

I like the power potential in the lead-off spot, and Gordon seems to get into a mental happy place at the top of the order, so I'm for staying consistent with success. It was asinine that Ned went away from this at the start of the season.

Agreed. Gordon is batting in the .290s from the leadoff spot this season. That is more like what we saw last season. For whatever reason the guy is just more comfortable there. My hypothesis is that he doesn't feel the pressure to drive in runs being in the leadoff spot. Some guys like to assist, some like to score.

Of the four games in this series, the first two are the most winnable based solely on the Blue Jays pitchers. We need to split this series to avoid complete disaster after that horrible twinkies series.

I think it puts him in the mindset to be more patient and more willing to take the ball the other way as opposed to trying to yank (and thus wrap around) everything.

Alcides batting average higher, more stolen bases, lower number of strikeouts. He needs to improve on taking walks. Gordon with a higher slugging percentage, number of home runs and doubles. I know that the 9 hole for Alcides and 1 spot for Gordon seems to fit both at the moment. Eventually I see a better performance with both moved up one spot

So, assuming he can stay healthy where does Zo project in the lineup? 9-hole?

Again, except for Alex's mental inability to succeed anywhere in the lineup except for leadoff.

I'm hoping he can grow out of that mindset. I guess we shall see

OBP is the most important quality for a leadoff hitter, and Gordon's is better and has been insanely high (.430ish) since returning to the top of the order.

And for the record, if this team is ever to have real success, we'll need a damn good #2 hitter. The idea that this is a position for someone who "handles the bat well and can lay down a bunt" is outdated bullshit.