Royals vs Twins - 6/30/13

[SPATCH]

Santana vs Correia

Royals begin post-Francouer era today at 1:10 pm CST.

Lineups

1. Alex Gordon (L) LF
2. Alcides Escobar (R) SS
3. Eric Hosmer (L) 1B
4. Billy Butler (R) DH
5. Salvador Perez (R) C
6. Mike Moustakas (L) 3B
7. Lorenzo Cain (R) CF
8. David Lough (L) RF
9. Johnny Giavotella (R) 2B

vs

1. Thomas, CF
2. Mauer, C
3. Doumit, DH
4. Morneau, 1B
5. Plouffe, 3B
6. Arcia, LF
7. Parmelee, RF
8. Escobar, 2B
9. Florimon, SS

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Go Rolls!

[lewdog]

I'm here for disappointment.

[TambaBerry]

1. Alex Gordon (L) LF
2. Alcides Escobar (R) SS
3. Eric Hosmer (L) 1B
4. Billy Butler (R) DH
5. Salvador Perez (R) C
6. Mike Moustakas (L) 3B
7. Lorenzo Cain (R) CF
8. David Lough (L) RF
9. Johnny Giavotella (R) 2B

[Coach]

:facepalm: Escobar at 2nd.... again....?

:facepalm:

[lewdog]

I just yelled HOMER there. Fuck. Close. Sure sounded like it!

[Dartgod]

I just yelled HOMER there. ****. Close. Sure sounded like it!

Yeah, thought that one was waaaay out.

[AndChiefs]

I just yelled HOMER there. ****. Close. Sure sounded like it!

I thought it was one as well.

[lewdog]

I don't know if any of you collect sports memorabilia but there is a player-direct site that is selling autographed Salvy bats with hologram/JSA authentication for around $90-100 shipped. Pretty sweet deal if you like collecting.

[SPchief]

Cain breaks up the no no

[SPchief]

DLough bloops one to right, Twins defense is bad. Runners on 2nd and 3rd no outs with Gio up

[SPchief]

Nice place for Gio to take some pressure off of himself

[lewdog]

Have to get some here.

[LoneWolf]

Gio!!!!

[SPchief]

There you go Gio!

[Toadkiller]

Go Go Gio!

[lewdog]

Well if we are going to his shots in the infield, at least our guys are fast down the line.

[Toadkiller]

I love to see the hustle. Maybe sparks these other fucks to run down to first base.

[siberian khatru]

Well, hello, Gio

[LoneWolf]

Send Gio here.

[lewdog]

That works. No problem with that. Well done.

[ChiliConCarnage]

Gio future HOFer confirmed

Rex, "he was swinging the minute he got into the box." From the Royals system? Hard to believe..

[siberian khatru]

Way to plate the run, Gordo

[Coach]

Keep it going....

[siberian khatru]

Shitty AB by Esky

[petegz28]

wind fucking us today

[SPchief]

Good thing Escobar is batting 2nd to kill that rally.

[Coach]

Shitty AB by Esky

Not Esky's fault that he's batting 2nd. He's a back of the lineup batter being put in the wrong spot.

[lewdog]

Not Esky's fault that he's batting 2nd. He's a back of the lineup batter being put in the wrong spot.

For over a fucking week straight! It just makes no sense.

[stonedstooge]

Hey fellow bitches

[lewdog]

Hey fellow bitches

Why hello, Susie!

[ChiliConCarnage]

Haha. Go royals fan

[lewdog]

Salvy getting the barrel on the ball twice today. Fucking wind.

[Bambi]

haha, Twins announcers just said that was Jeff Francoeur in the stands.

[Coach]

Moose....

[lewdog]

haha, Twins announcers just said that was Jeff Francoeur in the stands.

ROFL

Love it!

[Coach]

Damn.....

[SPchief]

DLOUGH!

[petegz28]

LOUGH!

[Coach]

Noice!

[stonedstooge]

w00t. 2 run double

[ChiliConCarnage]

Nice!

[Coach]

Gio!

[SPchief]

Johnny Go Go Gio!

[stonedstooge]

Go Johnny Go Go RBI single. fuck yeah

[LoneWolf]

Gio is an RBI machine.

[Dartgod]

GIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Drivin' the bus!!

[Toadkiller]

Gio!! Damn love those two call ups, Lough and Gio going nuts.

[lewdog]

This is fun to watch!

[Bambi]

Real baseball by the Royals. Gio looks good.

[TambaBerry]

I love him swinging at the first pitch. I mean if its a hittable ball go for it.

[sedated]

Im a big fan of Lough. I know most consider him a 4th OF, but I think he deserves to be the every day OF over Dyson.

[Al Bundy]

Ohhh Ryan L was crying because of Frenchy.

[SPchief]

Come on Moose, knock em out

[SPATCH]

Lough & Gio >>>>>> Francouer & Getz


Just took way too long get here.

[petegz28]

oops!.....fuck

[lewdog]

Oops, hung it there. Forget it and get after the next guy.

[petegz28]

damn, we really just blew a 4 run lead in less than 3 outs

[lewdog]

Well fuck. Tight now.

[TambaBerry]

3 doubles by lough fuck ya!

[SPATCH]

DLOUGH THO

[KcMizzou]

Crazy

[lewdog]

Lough and Gio are fucking hustling!!!

[KcMizzou]

Seriously, this is nuts.

LMAO

[ChiliConCarnage]

Team gliough keeps delivering

[stonedstooge]

C'mon Clutch.

[petegz28]

SWEET!

[stonedstooge]

w00t. 2 rbi's for Esky

[lewdog]

Speed kills! Al Davis would love this baseball team.

[Captain Obvious]

Alci-DEEZ NUTS!!!!

[sedated]

I know he just knocked in 2, but it makes zero sense for Escobar to be batting 2nd.

[Walrus]

Gio and Lough more productive in 1 game than Frenchy and Getz all season.

[Walrus]

Damnit Hos.

[KCGal]

Gio and Lough more productive in 1 game than Frenchy and Getz all season.

And Hosmer and Moose. Those guys have zero to prove. They know Dayton will not send them down. Gio and Low must perform or they know they are gone.

[SPATCH]

Think it's gonna be time to hand this one over to the pen.

Santana hasn't really had it today. Credit to him for grinding out 6 innings, though.

[Discuss Thrower]

Gotta love the awkward silence...

[58-4ever]

I miss Frenchie... said no one ever

[Dartgod]

Fucking midget.

[58-4ever]

Wow. Go away Twins.

[petegz28]

JFC, Collins....could you hang one any more?

[LoneWolf]

Well, the good news is that Gilough is coming up next inning so they should tack on another insurance run.

[BlackHelicopters]

Darn

[petegz28]

Collins going to blow the game right here..fuck!

[BlackHelicopters]

4 pitch walk

[OmahaChief]

Lookin like Collins wanting to piss the game awsy

[Dartgod]

Get the midget the fuck out of there.

[BlackHelicopters]

Fortune smiles on us, and we piss it away.

[petegz28]

Thanks Collins, you were handed a 3 run lead and wasted no time fucking it off...this loss will be on you, dickhead

[lewdog]

Collins looks like he is throwing a bag of dicks.

[petegz28]

Collins looks like he is throwing a bag of dicks.

dude just flat out choked the game away..most likely

[LoneWolf]

Thanks Collins, you were handed a 3 run lead and wasted no time ****ing it off...this loss will be on you, dickhead

Pete, when you drive by a fender bender, do you ask "I wonder how many people were killed?"

[BlackHelicopters]

Shit

[lewdog]

dick...we always seem to find a way to take one.

[OmahaChief]

Effin gas cans in the bully

[BlackHelicopters]

Time to get it back

[SPATCH]

We'll piss this one away.

[kcxiv]

Just seen the Royals blow that lead on MLB Network! Bullpen looking like my Dodgers pen always fucking up.lol

[BlackHelicopters]

Good morning. Good afternoon. Good night. Thanks LoCain.

[petegz28]

DLOUGH!!!! GTFO !!!!! FUCK YEAH!

[BlackHelicopters]

Lough

[Toadkiller]

Fucking Lough!

[Dartgod]

10 total bases for Lough today. Incredible.

[lewdog]

Lough....Um WTF. 3 doubles and a homer today!

[BlackHelicopters]

Unreal!

[ChiliConCarnage]

David Wough

[Toadkiller]

Move him to the 2 spot.

[BlackHelicopters]

Wish the bus driver would run over Hud

[LoneWolf]

Well, the good news is that Gilough is coming up next inning so they should tack on another insurance run.

Brought to you courtesy of Wolfstradamus.

[Dartgod]

Move him to the 2 spot.

Yep.

[Discuss Thrower]

Hey Frenchy! Tell me how my ass taste. - David Lough

[BlackHelicopters]

Darn

[BlackHelicopters]

Need 6 outs

[SPATCH]

Move him to the 2 spot.

precisely.

[Silock]

The Loughcomotive does it again!

[petegz28]

HOSMER!!!!

[BlackHelicopters]

Hos!!!!!

[Dartgod]

HOS!!!!!!

[BlackHelicopters]

Would mean so much to get Hosmer red hot.

[Bambi]

Hosmer is killin shit.

[BlackHelicopters]

Now fat boy...........

[Bambi]

and Gio has shown more in a day than Getz did in a career.

[BlackHelicopters]

Tub of goo comes through.

[BlackHelicopters]

Holland time

[petegz28]

I have to say I am wondering who this team is? I thought for sure, even with the saving, ground-rule double, that Collins had blown this game and all the momentum went to the Twins

[petegz28]

JFC!

[Discuss Thrower]

No motherfucking way

[MrGiggity]

Jesus Christ. Can this game just end?

[LoneWolf]

Cue TwitterdoucheandOsfan in 3..2..1..

[DeezNutz]

Good thing that Johnson is in for defense.

I fucking hate Ned Yost.

[petegz28]

4 runs surrendered by the Pen today, thus far

[petegz28]

Good thing that Johnson is in for defense.

I ****ing hate Ned Yost.

Yost must make at least 1 head-scratcher a game

[LoneWolf]

Good thing that Johnson is in for defense.

I ****ing hate Ned Yost.

I don't understand your issue with that move.

[petegz28]

is the broadcast fucking up for anyone else or just me?

[DeezNutz]

I don't understand your issue with that move.

It's the American League.

[petegz28]

I don't understand your issue with that move.

Oh, you know, potential for tie game, needing offense in said scenario, etc, etc

[Mr. Laz]

missed game until now

why in the hell is johnson in after the day Gio had at the plate?

insult much?

[BlackHelicopters]

K. K. K

[petegz28]

sit down....what a game.....

[ChiefsCountry]

Winner!
Posted via Mobile Device

[DeezNutz]

missed game until now

why in the hell is johnson in after the day Gio had at the plate?

insult much?

Because Ned Yost is fucking stupid and cannot expunge the National League from his pathetic being.

[Toadkiller]

Game, we pulled that one off.

[Mr. Laz]

youngsters come up big


lough and Gio :clap:


Lough gets confidence through the Frenchy release?

[BlackHelicopters]

Get outta town. Fast.

[LoneWolf]

It's the American League.

And? Johnson is a better defender than Gio and if the Royals pitch the way they should, Gio spot in the order shouldn't come up again. Ned's an idiot, but not in this case.

[siberian khatru]

Jesus Christ, what a game.

[petegz28]

youngsters come up big


lough and Gio :clap:


Lough gets confidence through the Frenchy release?

Possibly. Has to relieve a little pressure if anything

[tk13]

Holland now has 50 K in 30 IP. He's got a shot at 100.

More importantly, 4.5 out of first.

[DeezNutz]

And? Johnson is a better defender than Gio and if the Royals pitch the way they should, Gio spot in the order shouldn't come up again. Ned's an idiot, but not in this case.

OK, 1976.

[TribalElder]

holland is ice cold

[DeezNutz]

You want to make a defensive replacement in the 9th? OK. Earlier? Fucking stupid.

[LoneWolf]

OK, 1976.

Nice post. Way to answer the question. Are you and Pete related?

[Mr. Laz]

And? Johnson is a better defender than Gio and if the Royals pitch the way they should, Gio spot in the order shouldn't come up again. Ned's an idiot, but not in this case.
Gio is a decent fielder who just got called up and went like 4 for 5.

talk about a skipper telling a player he's a scrub no matter what he does.

don't like it

we need Gio to succeed and should be building his confidence not shredding it.

[cabletech94]

go royals!!!!

[Mr. Laz]

we gotta beat cleveland

[DeezNutz]

Nice post. Way to answer the question. Are you and Pete related?

I'm not a fan of small-ball tactics in most situations. The game has evolved, as has the understanding of it.

Just like Ned fucking Yost needs to fucking understand that our tiny left-hander has less success against LH hitters.

But what do I know about baseball? I'm one of the worst baseball posters in here.

[BlackHelicopters]

First place Indians. Time to prove we belong.

[petegz28]

Collins as of late has been ass. I hope it's just a funk but he cannot keep this up

[petegz28]

I'm not a fan of small-ball tactics in most situations. The game has evolved, as has the understanding of it.

Just like Ned ****ing Yost needs to ****ing understand that our tiny left-hander has less success against LH hitters.

But what do I know about baseball? I'm one of the worst baseball posters in here.

Come on, you can't expect Ned to look at things like stats.

[LoneWolf]

Gio is a decent fielder who just got called up and went like 4 for 5.

talk about a skipper telling a player he's a scrub no matter what he does.

don't like it

we need Gio to succeed and should be building his confidence not shredding it.

Johnson can get to balls Gio can't and has a better arm. The chances of his spot in the order coming up again were extremely slim. If Gio's psyche is that fragile and he doesn't understand that Johnson is a better fielder, then he's going to struggle in the majors long term.

[DeezNutz]

Gio clearly looked like shit on defense all day. Over-matched, especially on a strong pick, near double-play.

[DeezNutz]

Johnson can get to balls Gio can't and has a better arm. The chances of his spot in the order coming up again were extremely slim. If Gio's psyche is that fragile and he doesn't understand that Johnson is a better fielder, then he's going to struggle in the majors long term.

Arm strength from second base matters how much?

[Nightfyre]

I'm not a fan of small-ball tactics in most situations. The game has evolved, as has the understanding of it.

Just like Ned ****ing Yost needs to ****ing understand that our tiny left-hander has less success against LH hitters.

But what do I know about baseball? I'm one of the worst baseball posters in here.

I couldn't believe Yost just stuck him in there against the meaty left handers like that. Yost nearly cost us this game.

[petegz28]

Gio clearly looked like shit on defense all day. Over-matched, especially on a strong pick, near double-play.

Meh, his jump-turn-throw was meh! LMAO

[LoneWolf]

Arm strength from second base matters how much?

Depends on the situation. If trying to turn a DP on a speedy runner after a weakly hit grounder or attempting to throw out a runner at home on a relay throw, it is pretty important.

[DeezNutz]

I couldn't believe Yost just stuck him in there against the meaty left handers like that. Yost nearly cost us this game.

How Yost isn't explicitly asked about using Collins against lefties is maddening.

[petegz28]

How Yost isn't explicitly asked about using Collins against lefties is maddening.

mind-bottling

[DeezNutz]

mind-bottling

Yes. /CP

[Mr. Laz]

Johnson can get to balls Gio can't and has a better arm. The chances of his spot in the order coming up again were extremely slim. If Gio's psyche is that fragile and he doesn't understand that Johnson is a better fielder, then he's going to struggle in the majors long term.
If Gio sucks that much then they should just designated him for assignment and move on.

Yost is a douche who has no feel for anything

some guys can suck and they will play every day ... others he yanks around like a YoYo.


If Gio and Lough can add some offense at the bottom of the order then our lineup is SO much better. We should give them every chance to do just that.

Hope Yost doesn't **** it up.

[DeezNutz]

The game is 9-7 when Gio is replaced, not 1-0; offense has been pretty fucking important, but let's close our eyes and avoid reality.

In the end, did it matter? No. But results don't justify decisions.

[BWillie]

johnny g 3 for 4. I like it. disappointing minor league season but hes really our best option at this point. I mean tejada is a better option than Johnson or getz. I had no idea he was coming up, is John G here to stay or was there an injury or something? I didn't hear about anybody coming up

[AndChiefs]

johnny g 3 for 4. I like it. disappointing minor league season but hes really our best option at this point. I mean tejada is a better option than Johnson or getz. I had no idea he was coming up, is John G here to stay or was there an injury or something? I didn't hear about anybody coming up

I'd say he's here to stay barring a trade.

[LoneWolf]

If Gio sucks that much then they should just designated him for assignment and move on.

Yost is a douche who has no feel for anything

some guys can suck and they will play everything ... others he yanks around like a YoYo.


If Gio and Lough can add some offense at the bottom of the order then our lineup is SO much better. We should give them every chance to do just that.

Hope Yost doesn't **** it up.

I love how Gio looked today. It was nice to see a lineup that I didn't consider any spot a guaranteed out. I just thought the complaining about putting Johnson in for defense seemed like Ned bashing for the sake of wanting something to bitch about. Personally, I didn't see it as Ned not being comfortable in Gio's abilities. I could be wrong. Lord knows I've been wrong before.

[Nightfyre]

a) Gio's minor league season was far from disappointing.
b) We DFA'd Frenchy

[Mr. Laz]

I love how Gio looked today. It was nice to see a lineup that I didn't consider any spot a guaranteed out. I just thought the complaining about putting Johnson in for defense seemed like Ned bashing for the sake of wanting something to bitch about. Personally, I didn't see it as Ned not being comfortable in Gio's abilities. I could be wrong. Lord knows I've been wrong before.
i don't know what is going to happen with Gio, he might suck.

but finally getting some pop at 2nd base is worth the risk.

Day 1 and you pull him ... don't like it.

If he starts screwing up on defense then you react.

don't scream fire before you see any smoke

jmo

[petegz28]

There was no reason to pull Gia. There was no reason not to have him up at the start of the season. When he has come up in the past he has played better than Getz, that's for sure.

[tk13]

There was no reason to pull Gia. There was no reason not to have him up at the start of the season. When he has come up in the past he has played better than Getz, that's for sure.

Maybe marginally... really he hasn't been any better than Getz, but it's a relatively small sample size of 100 games or so. He definitely has a bit more pop, but he also hasn't walked much and struck out a lot.

[Prison Bitch]

I'm sick of Aaron Crow serving up meatballs every outing. Dude is a zero WAR player tho year.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Wow. What a crazy game. Nice to see them win a game despite crappy pitching for once.

[Mr. Laz]

what is the biggest problem for the Royals, each time a pitcher struggles or a batter doesn't Hit?

confidence

Moose needs to be confident and trust his ability ... not think so much.
Pitcher needs trust his stuff and pitch more to contact
Team needs confidence to win

So what does Yost do on the very first day a guy gets called up? Reminds him of his weakness, slaps him in the face after he goes 4 for 5 at the plate.


it should of been "Gio ... you got this, go do your thing. You're a big leaguer"

instead Gio gets kicked in the nuts


Yost always acts like he's worried about confidence but this wasn't a confidence move.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Pete, when you drive by a fender bender, do you ask "I wonder how many people were killed?"

ROFL

[petegz28]

what is the biggest problem for the Royals, each time a pitcher struggles or a batter doesn't Hit?

confidence

Moose needs to be confident and trust his ability ... not think so much.
Pitcher needs trust his stuff and pitch more to contact
Team needs confidence to win

So what does Yost do on the very first day a guy gets called up? Reminds him of his weakness, slaps him in the face after he goes 4 for 5 at the plate.


it should of been "Gio ... you got this, go do your thing. You're a big leaguer"

instead Gio gets kicked in the nuts


Yost always acts like he's worried about confidence but this wasn't a confidence move.

That's why they call him "Nervous Ned"

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Only 4.5 out going into July. This I like.

[Mr. Laz]

That's why they call him "Nervous Ned"

well then Nervous Ned needs to go because we need a manager that can get this team of young players to focus and believe in themselves.

a top priority

[lewdog]

I had to leave when the 9th started because I had to go grocery shopping. ROFL

Came back and watched the end. Hosmer looks fucking awesome. Holland has major nuts.

[Nightfyre]

One hole we have on the roster is a reliever who can come in and induce ground balls or double plays. Every one of our relievers is a strikeout specialist. We need Louis Coleman. Maybe we can get a bag of balls for Hoch and bring him up.

[Three7s]

One hole we have on the roster is a reliever who can come in and induce ground balls or double plays. Every one of our relievers is a strikeout specialist. We need Louis Coleman. Maybe we can get a bag of balls for Hoch and bring him up.
Hasn't Hoch been good this year?

[Nightfyre]

Hasn't Hoch been good this year?

Nobody pays 4.5 million for a middle inning reliever who wilts in high leverage situations.

[SPATCH]

I'm sick of Aaron Crow serving up meatballs every outing. Dude is a zero WAR player tho year.

I've seen people bitch about Collins, Herrera, Holland, and Crow this season.. and I'm sitting here trying to figure out how we have the lowest bullpen ERA in the AL.

[PunkinDrublic]

Only 4.5 out going into July. This I like.

Cleveland just moved into a tie for first. That team has shit pitching and a bunch of no names and they're where the Royals should be.

[Prison Bitch]

I've seen people bitch about Collins, Herrera, Holland, and Crow this season.. and I'm sitting here trying to figure out how we have the lowest bullpen ERA in the AL.

Greg Holland and Hochevar.

[58-4ever]

Cleveland just moved into a tie for first. That team has shit pitching and a bunch of no names and they're where the Royals should be.

Then it's time to go take it. If it's ours, we will take it in this next series. It's a shame they'll miss Ervin.

[WhawhaWhat]

Nobody pays 4.5 million for a middle inning reliever who wilts in high leverage situations.

The alternative was probably spending $500k on Louis Coleman and David Glass pocketing the $4 mil.

[petegz28]

We are overpaying for Hoch in a major way. The guy was a #1 pick and now he is doing pen duty and hardly in pressure situations. That being said today was a perfect day where he should have been brought in for the 7th instead of Collins. Hoch is good when he starts an inning as opposed to coming into the middle of one and that is to be expected.

Ned has to realize that Collins is less than good against left-handed hitting.

[DJJasonp]

Only 4.5 out going into July. This I like.

Yep....

3 1/2 more weeks and they bring us all the way to training camp.

When's the last time the "dead period" (no NBA, no NHL) actually had some interest (besides the QB challenge they air a few weeks before training camp opens)???

Gonna enjoy it while it lasts....

[lewdog]

Ned has to realize that Collins is less than good against left-handed hitting.

He's just the manager man, give him a break. He can't be in charge of knowing everything.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Cleveland just moved into a tie for first. That team has shit pitching and a bunch of no names and they're where the Royals should be.

Yeah, that's cause they can hit home runs.

[petegz28]

Yeah, that's cause they can hit home runs.

Don't look now but this team has suddenly found their HR swingl. Let's hope it lasts and isn't a fluke.

Salvy and Gordon both crushed balls today I thought would go but the wind really knocked them down just enough

[SPATCH]

Don't look now but this team has suddenly found their HR swingl. Let's hope it lasts and isn't a fluke.

Salvy and Gordon both crushed balls today I thought would go but the wind really knocked them down just enough

Still think we should go about acquiring an RF with some pop ASAFP. Lough had a great game today, but he's a 4th OF imo.

[Nightfyre]

Still think we should go about acquiring an RF with some pop ASAFP. Lough had a great game today, but he's a 4th OF imo.

If we could put together a package to get Stanton, that would be dreamy. Plus if Utley is available on the cheap, push all in. Adding two bats would be nuts.

Gordon
Cain
Utley
Stanton
Hos
Butler
Moose
Perez
Escobar

[lewdog]

If we could put together a package to get Stanton, that would be dreamy. Plus if Utley is available on the cheap, push all in. Adding two bats would be nuts.

Gordon
Cain
Utley
Stanton
Hos
Butler
Moose
Perez
Escobar

I would quit my job and travel around the country watching this team if this happened.

[DeezNutz]

If we could put together a package to get Stanton, that would be dreamy. Plus if Utley is available on the cheap, push all in. Adding two bats would be nuts.

Gordon
Cain
Utley
Stanton
Hos
Butler
Moose
Perez
Escobar

Great to dream, but why do you keep putting Cain at 2nd? He's, optimistically, the 6th best bat in that lineup.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Still think we should go about acquiring an RF with some pop ASAFP. Lough had a great game today, but he's a 4th OF imo.

Can Lough play center field? Cain has been atrocious lately. I'd much rather see Gordon/Lough/Phantom RF Power Bat Trade Acquisition than Gordon/Cain/Phantom RF Power Bat Trade Acquisition.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Don't look now but this team has suddenly found their HR swingl. Let's hope it lasts and isn't a fluke.

Salvy and Gordon both crushed balls today I thought would go but the wind really knocked them down just enough

I know they have, but I'm analyzing the season as a whole. Cleveland is 6th in the majors in HR; KC is 29th.

[Nightfyre]

Great to dream, but why do you keep putting Cain at 2nd? He's, optimistically, the 6th best bat in that lineup.

He's the only RH bat that projects to that spot. Who else are you going to put there without stacking all your left handers?

[Ceej]

He's the only RH bat that projects to that spot. Who else are you going to put there without stacking all your left handers?

Jose Canseco.

[DeezNutz]

He's the only RH bat that projects to that spot. Who else are you going to put there without stacking all your left handers?

I don't care about the L-R-L-R thing. I think that gets way overblown.

Get your best hitters as many as ABs as possible. Beyond this, it doesn't really matter.

[Nightfyre]

I don't care about the L-R-L-R thing. I think that gets way overblown.

Get your best hitters as many as ABs as possible. Beyond this, it doesn't really matter.

Until someone gets to bring in their LOOGY and blow away your three best hitters with him. These splits matter from a strategic perspective.
ex:
A guy like Louis Coleman gets crushed by lefties but dominates righties. So, if they have 3 righties in a row, I just put a guy like Coleman in and crush the side with his closer-level performance against righties. However, you throw a lefty in there and now I may have to burn him after one guy.

The impact this has on bullpen management is crucial and underrated, imo.

[Mr. Laz]

have to agree with NF this time, you want to alternate as much as you can for pitching matchups.

too many in order and the specialist can have much more impact than it should

[SPchief]

have to agree with NF this time, you want to alternate as much as you can for pitching matchups.

too many in order and the specialist can have much more impact than it should

In the 7th inning or later. Put you're best 4 hitters(OBS) in the top 4 and go from there.

[DeezNutz]

In the 7th inning or later. Put you're best 4 hitters(OBS) in the top 4 and go from there.

Yep. That's the point.

[duncan_idaho]

If we could put together a package to get Stanton, that would be dreamy. Plus if Utley is available on the cheap, push all in. Adding two bats would be nuts.

Gordon
Cain
Utley
Stanton
Hos
Butler
Moose
Perez
Escobar

I'd position that lineup this way:

Gordon
Utley
Butler
Stanton
Hosmer
Perez
Moose
Cain
Escobar

(Not that this lineup is going to happen)

The 2 spot in the lineup is, statistically, a very important spot in the lineup. You HAVE to have one of your best bats filling that spot, IMO.

Honestly, if Hosmer keeps up what he has done in June, I'd flip he and Utley.

L-R construction of the lineup DOES matter for late-inning bullpen matchups, but your hitters are likely to get at least 2-3 ABs before a team is into its specialists. The lineup construction has to be optimized for those ABs as well.

With a guy like Utley, who has a career .852 OPS vs. LHP, my lineup is not as vulnerable to a Phil Coke type as you might think. Same thing with Giancarlo Stanton vs. RHP (.866 OPS).

Back to reality... let's talk about Lorenzo Cain for a minute. He had a really rough June and needs to show some signs of life. I still love what he brings to the table with the glove. Hopefully, they can leave him in the 6-7 range in the lineup and let him get comfortable. With his D, .270/10 HR/.330 OBP/.425 SLG would play very nicely for a few years in CF.

[duncan_idaho]

Oh, and... Here's Hosmer's final line from June:

.303/.347/.541
6 HR
17 RBI
8 BB/13 K
6 2B
1 3B

So... basically, his month of June was what we THOUGHT we would get from the guy every month at the start of the 2012 season.

I'm not COUNTING on that guy sticking around... but I again have hope he CAN.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

If we could put together a package to get Stanton, that would be dreamy. Plus if Utley is available on the cheap, push all in. Adding two bats would be nuts.

Gordon
Cain
Utley
Stanton
Hos
Butler
Moose
Perez
Escobar

ROFL Suuuuure