If both Tucker and Yordan continue to have a .900+ OPS in the 2nd half of the season and Abreu is under .800 then it would make sense to have both of them in the top 4 of the lineup and drop Abreu to 5. I would keep Yordan in the top 3 though.
Altuve 2B Tucker RF Bregman 3B Yordan LF/DH Abreu 1B Brantley/ Julks DH/LF Diaz C Meyers/ Chas CF Pena SS
Can any of them play first base? It feels like that will be our weak link as soon as next year (and maybe this year).
Generally the lineup should be as balanced as possible with on base guys in front of sluggers and the best hitters getting the most plate appearances. A healthy Astros team has 4 guys who project to be over 25% above league average hitting (+125 OPS+). They should be the top 4 hitters in the lineup. Altuve, Bregman, Alvarez, Tucker. The most recent statistical studies say the best overall hitter should hit 2nd. That's Alvarez. Tucker is the other lefty, and the most slug over OB hitter among the remaining 3 so he hits cleanup. That lets Altuve and Bregman slide into their usual leadoff and 3rd spots. The best run producer remaining should hit 5th. That's Abreu ( theoretically and historically. Fingers crossed) I would put Pena 6th because of his power, and the need for some protection. The #7 hitter should provide more than #8 or 9. Brantley hits 7th because he's the best hitter remaining, helps the L/R balance, and should help Pena get better pitches than any remaining players. McCormick/Meyers hit 8th. Ideally there is some additional production here if teams bring in lefty relievers to face Brantley Catching position is 9th. Altuve Alvarez Bregman Tucker Abreu Pena Brantley McCormick/Meyers catcher.
Altuve 2B Pena SS Alvarez LF Bregman 3B Tucker RF Abreu 1B Brantley DH Dubon CF Maldonado C Diaz C McCormick OF Meyers CF Julks LF Dubon spells everyone in the infield on days off.
What is in the lineup once everyone is healthy? Carrot & Celery snacks Grains Spinach Salmon Tomato Chicken Squash Beef Mushrooms Onions Citrus (gotta watch that scurvy) Herbs Potatoes... just regular stuff
i think the additions by deadline time will be a replacement backup corner infielder for hensley, and an established catcher that is under contract beyond this year. and, of course, needlessly grabbing a lefty bullpen arm for dusty.
I think this would be their most effective lineup: 2B Altuve LF Brantley 3B Bregman DH Alvarez C Diaz RF Tucker 1B Abreu SS Pena CF Dubon That lineup will never happen consistently but I think it would produce the most runs.
I think it's irresponsible to assume Brantley will come back good as new, the man's turning 36 in a couple of weeks. Really sucks that Dirden is putting up such a clunker season in AAA after tearing the cover off the ball in ST.
If Dusty had half a brain: Altuve Pena Alvarez Bregman Tucker Abreu Brantley McCormick/Meyers Diaz (demote Maldy to backup catcher)
It's getting harder and harder for me to stick to my belief that Pena does not get on base enough to hit 2nd. I also see that they are considering using Brantley as the backup for Abreu which would help give him more chances for PAs and give Abreu rest. In the past, when a player struggled like this, Dusty has given him a "work day" out of the lineup. Abreu needs that.
Oh Jesus Christ what the hell happened to Brantley as a must have #2 hole hitter? After all that talk and now you present this lineup? That's quite ridiculous.
The Lineup Should be... Altuve Pena (Dusty will put Brantley here, but the guy has proven to be stellar in the 2-hole) Alvarez (Should always get a first inning at-bat) Bregman (Because there's no one else worth putting and we know Dusty would never follow Yordan with a lefty). Tucker Abreu Brantley Meyers DIAZ (I wish. Maldonado behind the plate is so overrated).
A guy can change his mind. My position that Brantley needed to be the #2 hitter was based on the fact that only Brantley and Pena were considered. A thought came to me that Alvarez and Tucker need to be In the top 1/2 of the lineup and if Brantley is there too, then all 3 lefties are 2-5 with 5 consecutive righties after them. It makes more sense to break that up with a lefty, and it can't be Akvarez or Tucker.
I about lost my mind when they put Springer in the leadoff spot. Same thing with Pena. But just like with George, Jeremy is making it really hard to keep saying it's not the right move. Things change. I need to learn to adapt to these changes in philosophy.
