Ideally Javier and Brown are pitching like they are capable of and France can be a long guy in the bullpen. But since that's not happening, to me, France is the #3 guy after Framber who can hopefully pitch 6+ and save the bullpen for that game. Then piecemeal Javier and Brown 3-4 innings each in game #4.
All I know is that our pitching as a whole needs improving. ERA SEP / AUG Valdez 2.57 / 3.67 France 4.91 / 5.92 Verlander 5.40 / 2.79 Javier 6.3 / 6.17 Urquity 12.0 / 5.21
Here's a question, since I'm no guru on baseball. WTH isn't Pena way further down in the lineup? I also don't have as much trust in Tucker as others, after seeing his stats for September and August. I don't know much about baseball, but the stats below make me question certain players being in the top 5 spots most of the time. What gives? Help a novice like me understand this. I thought OBP, AVE, and SLG % would be most important for making lineups. Shouldn't you adjust starters in the lineup based on their past month's performance at least, moving them up or down for better performers? STATS SEP / AUG OBP - AVE - SLG Alvarez .531 /.400 - .353 /.306 - .647 /.500 Altuve .349 /.430 - .300 / .354 - .750 / .522 Diaz .364 /.337 - .333 / .302 - .667 / .558 Dubon .364 /.394 - .323 / .339 - .581 / .525 Brantley .348. - .333 - .967 Bregman .347 /.432 - .295 / .318 - .386 / .527 Mccormick .345 /.343 - . 296 / .271 - .481 / .479 Tucker. .326 /.357 - . 211 / .255 - .368 / .541 Pena. .313 /.426. - .313 / .333 - .396 / .455 Abreu .279 /.278 - .205 / .188 - .487 / .271 Maldonado. .241 /.324 - .185 / .258. - .407 / .435
Those particular stats can inform you about how the player performed over time, but to make out a lineup card familiarity with a players current situation is probably more relevant. In most cases a manager sitting in the dugout and watching them play every day can pick up nuances and make a more informed determination as to where they fit or do not fit. In our case we have a manager who has some prejudicial ideas about where some players belong based on less informed ideas and more on how he feels about them in general. He is elderly and sees things he expects and fails to see things as they actually occur. It is something anyone who has been tasked with the care of an elderly family member is familiar with. My own parents made horrible decisions the last few years of their lives. You recognize the behavior and even though you love them dearly you move ahead with what you know is right hoping to keep them safe while ignoring their insistence to do something else.
I still don't get the positioning of Tucker and Pena so far up in the lineup, by looking at their batting stats from last couple weeks, or even from August and September. Our pitching hasn't been great, and our batting lineups just seem bizarre to me. It's like, well he has potential, I like him, and he earned it from the past, vs who's hot lately, who's bringing the power, and who's consistently getting on base.
I'd move Tucker to 6th whenever Diaz, Brantley or McCormick are in. Pena should be no higher than 7th. He's one of the worst.
Javier seems to be pitching a lot better. Although I worry about fatigue, I think Brown has a chance to come around as well which will make for a decent set of four starters for the post-season. Problem is that outside of maybe Framber there aren't really any war daddy types among the starting pitchers - they are more good than great. However, pitchers can get hot too...
Part of the issue I have with the lineup is inconsistency. Dusty really should pick a lineup and stick with it. The top 7 guys should always be the same. Altuve Bregman Alvarez Tucker McCormick Diaz Abreu 8 and 9 will be Brantley then Pena or Pena then Maldy. This also fuels the possibility of Diaz catching because Brantley only plays when Maldy is on the bench. Ok fantasy- I know. As for the rotation- Framber has been the best and there is simply no choice but to trust JV and hope. Montero better be back and Graveman and Maton better be the best versions of themselves because this team has major questions when it comes to pitching innings 1-6
Tucker needs to be somewhere between 2-3-4. Yes he is mired in a little slump but that happens. He is our 2nd most dangerous bat.
Not since way back in July. I'd push him back until he gets back above the rest. I'd go with this lineup, just based on September and August OPS / AVE / SLG I know it seems crazy, but these guys have overplayed the regulars consistently the last 6 weeks. I say, mix it up. We're losing games we should be winning. Jose Altuve Yainer Diaz C Alvarez Brantley/ Dubon DH Chas McCormick Bregman Kyle Tucker Jeremy Pena Jose Abreu
Not since way back in July. I'd push him back until he gets back above the rest. I'd go with this lineup, just based on September and August OPS / AVE / SLG Jose Altuve Yainer Diaz C Alvarez Brantley/ Dubon DH Chas McCormick Bregman Kyle Tucker Jeremy Pena Jose Abreu I was just looking at him compared to others for all our August and September games for my mock lineup. I was just basing the adjustments for the way they've been hitting the past 6 weeks. Then again, what do I know? I was just using OPS, AVE, and SLG to propose a mixup. OBP - AVE - SLG (SEP/AUG) Alvarez .531 /.400 - .353 /.306 - .647 /.500 Altuve .349 /.430 - .300 / .354 - .750 / .522 Diaz .364 /.337 - .333 / .302 - .667 / .558 Dubon .364 /.394 - .323 / .339 - .581 / .525 Brantley .348. - .333 - .967 Bregman .347 /.432 - .295 / .318 - .386 / .527 Mccormick .345 /.343 - . 296 / .271 - .481 / .479 Tucker. .326 /.357 - . 211 / .255 - .368 / .541 Pena. .313 /.426. - .313 / .333 - .396 / .455 Abreu .279 /.278 - .205 / .188 - .487 / .271 Maldonado. .241 /.324 - .185 / .258. - .407 / .435
This is my lineup and pitching staff. JV Framber France/Brown Javier for 75/80 pitches and then bullpen game. Lineup Altuve 2b Uncle Mike DH Alvarez LF Bregs 3b Tucker RF Diaz C Chaz CF Abreu 1B Pena SS This lineup needs to play most of the rest of the season and all of the playoffs. It's the best chance to win another ring. Why Johnnie refuses to play this lineup is beyond me.
I am thrilled Brown got 5 no hit shutout innings and then Dusty got him out if there. Perfect!! Total confidence boost for Hunter and the high pressure was going tovstart building if he stayed in. This needs to springboard him to seize a playoff rotation spot.
It doesn't have to be exact, but Pena and Tucker haven't batted as well as many others in SEP and AUG. Here's SEP, and AUG is about the same, as far as order. We leave too many on base with our stupid lineups most of the time. You don't think OBP, SLG, and AVE mean much? I know Dusty likes just his preferences. AVE / OBP / SLG Altuve .300 .349 .750 Diaz .333 .364 .667 Alvarez .353 .531 .647 Brantley .333 .348 .619 Dubon .323 .364 .581 McCormick .296 .345 .481 Bregman .295 .347 .386 Pena .313 .313 .396 Tucker .211 .326 .368 Abreu .205 .279 .487 Maldonado .185 .241 .407
