Is A Lineup Change Necessary?
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Tue, May 26, 2009 05:09 PM | Comments: 13
Posts, Raising Questions
Resembling a MASH unit, the Mets have called up top prospect Fernando Martinez after spending 2009 in triple-A Buffalo. And as quickly as that was announced, the Mets also proclaimed Martinez would start and bat sixth in tonight’s game against the Nationals.
Of course, the Mets have more scratches and bruises than most small-town hospitals, but the Phillies could learn from this innovative thinking. Last night the Phils offense looked lost and tired in a 5-3 loss to the Marlins. Specifically, Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino didn’t play well at all. Werth has been cradling a bad slump, while Vic made a gigantic baserunning error trying to steal second in last night’s ninth inning. It was possible one or both could sit the night out tonight.
So tonight’s lineup? Rollins. Victorino. Utley. Howard. Ibanez. Werth. Feliz. Ruiz. Blanton. AKA the same freakin’ lineup.
I’m not saying the Phils should call up Michael Taylor and start him. No. But when your regular best pinch hitter is hitting a paltry .139 because he supposedly hasn’t had enough chances … or when you want to give your newly called right-handed hitting prospect a chance to play (and against a lefty) …
Are we confident this similar lineup can churn out a bunch of runs tonight? Or should we want to see something fresh and new taking aim at the Marlins?
Posts: 0 Greg V.
Last night, I said Victorino’s blunder warranted a benching and I still believe this. Werth could use another trip to the bench as well. Even Raul has never hit tonight’s pitcher (per beerleaguer). I think it’s a good day to start Mayberry and I question why he isn’t.
Posted: 05:16 PM on May 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Justin
Your not going to send Dobbs to 3rd base behind a ground ball pitcher like Blanton, I see him getting a start tomorrow but it’s hard to start him when Feliz is hitting so good, but still i see a day off for Pete Happy coming tomorrow to keep his legs fresh. Would have been a good time to sit Werth tonight but maybe Mayberry will get a chance tomorrow.
Posted: 05:17 PM on May 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Hollywood Hamels
keep the lineup the way it is. its worked and will work.
Posted: 05:18 PM on May 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
I agree.
Posted: 05:22 PM on May 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Michael N.
Basically this is the best line up out there when your 1-2 hitters are hitting i.e. rollins and victorino if they don’t hit this lineup don’t strikes if they do they’re down right dominant.
Posted: 05:27 PM on May 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
I believe that lineup is what Manual started the season with. If indeed that is the official lineup tonight, then I do noticed that Werth is batting lower (6th) for obvious reasons; slump and 0 for 3 (3 k’s) vs Andrew Miller in 2008. Personally, I like to see Mayberry Jr’s righthanded bat against the lefty Miller. Victorino has been getting his hits and batting 2nd gives more speed at the top. That and additional right handed bat in the top of order.
Posted: 05:38 PM on May 26, 2009
Posts: 0 clicheguevara
“A new, if not pathetic fan club was born – Madson’s Magicians. It was basically a guy and a girl with top hats, capes, canes and a few dances which looked like a cross between the Phanatic’s opposing pitcher jinx routine and Harry Potter and Hermione.”
Got this from the top “related post”….wonder why this one never caught on
Posted: 05:38 PM on May 26, 2009
Posts: 0 The Little Guy
The lineup last night was…Rollins, Utley, Ibanez, Howard, Werth, Victorino, Feliz, Ruiz, Moyer…..
So i dont know what your talking about being the same lineup…
Posted: 05:47 PM on May 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Manimal
I say we go..
Rollins
Utley
Werth
Howard
Ibanez
Victorino
Feliz
Ruiz
Just for the hell of it. Why the hell not?
Posted: 05:52 PM on May 26, 2009
Posts: 0 85
Let’s not get drastic here. Occasionally they’ve thrown in one clunker with the bats per series, like with the Harang game in Cincinnati. But more often than not they’re going to hit. And it’s no secret that Werth hits lefties better, and ultimately it’s more important to get him going than to get Mayberry a few extra ups. Put Werth in there against the lefty and let’s hope he gets right.
This is a great offense. Most nights they’ll be fine, and most nights they’ll win. It’s a marathon.
Posted: 05:53 PM on May 26, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
Don’t mess with success.
Posted: 05:53 PM on May 26, 2009
Posts: 0 beta sigma shag
anybody else think maybe werth is a better platoon player than every day player, I do not mean every day a righty is pitching he is sitting but 2 out of three or a least 1 out of three, or more often than not and see if he can start focusing again. IMO that is what it is, sometimes he loses focus and now he is pressing. When he is fighting for a job he focuses and performs. And it is just me but I like Utley third and Raul fifth if you are going with 3 lefties in a row. And why not for now put and if you want to break them up how about pete happy 3 raul 5th for now Pete is on fire. Because what is the differance 2 3 4 lefties or 3 4 5 lefties I dont get it
Posted: 07:30 PM on May 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Rich Corr
Werth needs a few days off… Play the kid.. Then give Victorino a few days off…
Posted: 08:12 PM on May 26, 2009