Ok this is my lineup for the games in Chicago. We all know that Bagwell is gonna DH (he better get his butt in the cage by the way). The only other question is do you put him at the bottom of the order, or in a meaningful slot because he's Jeff Bagwell. I wouldn't put him in the 3 hole, but I would put him 5th because I think he can still hit the ball well or draw a walk if need be. This is my lineup. 2B Biggio LF Burke 1B Berkman 3B Ensberg DH Bagwell RF Lane C Ausmus SS Everett CF Taveras
Game 1 vs. Contreras, a righthander: Biggio - 2B Taveras - CF Berkman - DH Ensberg - 3B Lamb - 1B Lane - RF Burke - LF Ausmus - C Everett - SS Game 2 vs. Buhrle, a lefthander: Biggio - 2B Taveras - CF Berkman - 1B Ensberg - 3B Bagwell - DH Lane - RF Burke - LF Ausmus - C Everett - SS
Game 1 vs. Contreras, a righthander: Biggio - 2B Burke - LF Berkman - DH Ensberg - 3B Lamb - 1B Lane - RF Ausmus - C Everett - SS Taveras - CF Game 2 vs. Buhrle, a lefthander: Biggio - 2B Bagwell - DH Berkman - 1B Ensberg - 3B Lane - RF Burke - LF Ausmus - C Everett - SS Taveras - CF Taveras is a better batter with no one on and his speed allows him to score more easily on hits. Thus, he is a prototypical 9th hitter in the AL. You put him behind your worst hitters so that his ground balls are hits instead of fielder's choices, but the best hitters can hit him in. Game 2 line up is used only if Bagwell is 80% or better. The reason I put the lineup like this is that if Bagwell is healthy, he'll get on base. I know some here don't believe in OBP as the best stat for the #2 hitter, but I believe in Berkman.
I haven't really seen Bagwell run hard since he's added back to the roster. You guys think he can still run pretty well? I mean, you can't really run without having flexible shoulders.
I think last night's game proved fairly well that Taveras should be in the two hole behind Biggio with Burke in the higher RBI chance 6th spot.
Bagwell wants to be out there. Give him a chance. Mike Lamb is a dangerous hitter, but I'd love to see Jeff Bagwell swinging the bat in game 1 of the World Series, after everything he's meant to this team.
