Different people have given different answers. Brantley said he wants to play LF every day but that he knows with his age he is likely going to DH more than he ever has. Alvarez said he wants to play outfield every game but knows he won’t. Bagwell said that Alvarez should play LF over 100 games this year. Baker has given two different answers but basically said Brantley needs to be healthy enough to play almost every day. My guess is they will try to do close to a split - but I suspect Brantley will be very injury prone and end up at DH often with Alvarez and Brantley both getting more rest than most starters. I will be very happy if Brantley plays 100 games this year and is healthy at the time of the playoffs. Let’s see… but the line up is a lot nastier with a healthy Brantley… Altuve Brantley Bregman Alvarez Abreu Tucker Pena McCormick Maldonado That’s a nasty line up - and it can be extended 8 deep by moving Pena to the 8 hole and Brantley to the 7 hole…
Carlos Lee disagrees...and he was an everyday LF. That dude was a travesty out there. Things might've been different if we were in the AL a few years earlier.
If the Astros can just stay near the top of the division until they're both back, that lineup is ridiculous and we run away with it.
Dubon started 9 games either leadoff or 2nd last year, and he's been a Maldy level hitter. I'd guess there would be a similar response. Most vocal people would be horrified.
Dubon makes contact and runs well. I don't think it would be the end of the world if he hit 2nd if Altuve was healthy but Brantley hurt. I would still prefer Bregman 2nd but I would understand the reasoning. Pena does not belong at the top of a lineup and this would allow the team to move him to a spot where his profile fits the team better. He simply strikes out too much and does not get on base enough. He is a great teammate and player but his offensive profile is as a very good #7-9 hitter and very below average #1-2 hitter.
If it isn't the end of the world if Dubon is batting 2nd, it isn't the end of the world if Maldy is batting 2nd. Dubon making contact only helps if Altuve is on third as groundballs to SS keeps Altuve at 2B or leads to double plays if Altuve is at 1B.
Dubon makes contact and runs well. I don't think it would be the end of the world if he hit 2nd if Altuve was healthy but Brantley hurt. I would still prefer Bregman 2nd but I would understand the reasoning. Pena does not belong at the top of a lineup and this would allow the team to move him to a spot where his profile fits the team better. He simply strikes out too much and does not get on base enough. He is a great teammate and player but his offensive profile is as a very good #7-9 hitter and very below average #1-2 hitter. As I said- I do not want Dubon hitting 2nd. However, he hits ground balls and pulls the ball less than MLB average so that ground ball to SS you mentioned is less likely than most hitters. Let's agree to hope Dusty keeps Bregman in the #2 spot until Brantley returns. I REALLY like: Altuve Brantley Bregman Alvarez Abreu Tucker Pena McCormick catcher Or Altuve Bregman Alvarez Abreu Tucker Pena Brantley McCormick catcher.
I'll play the lineup game. I still feel like this will be the optimal lineup come playoff time: Altuve Pena Alvarez Bregman Tucker Abreu Brantley McCormick Catcher
Please see large grouping of pulled groundballs (green) to SS with some to 3rd and some to 2B. While Dubon pulls balls less than most hitters, his GBs are pulled. Also note, that Dubon grounds into double plays about twice as often per plate appearance than Maldy last season despite Maldy being incredibly slow. Maldy pulls grounders as well, but he just doesn't make contact enough for him to be close to the double play threat as Dubon. Being a great contact hitter in the 2 hole only works if the contact is a hit or at least moves the runner up a base. Dubon is not that type of contact hitter.
If we are going to pull Pena out of the 2nd hole, Hensley would be a much better option. He looks to be a good OBA guy. Of course, he might not be and we’re just talking until Altuve gets back. I could invision (not likely with Dusty) a Lefty/Righty platoon at DH between Hensley, Alverez and Brantley. I would rarely start Brantley against LH.
Radio or TV crew talked about this. Said that pitchers aren't use to holding runners anymore and are going to have to re-learn that skill. Sucks for the catchers though, as they are the ones that get tagged with the stat.
The only legitimate concern I have about the Astros this early in the season is the velocity dip for Neris.
