Lamb is going to start that game (Game 3). Lamb absolutely owns Matt Morris (see stats below). Also Lamb is very descent at home (slightly better than his road numbers) - now that considered combined with his mind boggling numbers against Matt........nuff said.... Matt Morri's numbers against Astros batters Those numbers are absolutely ridiculous. Case closed, Lambs definitely (of course I am not Garner) starts that game at first base. Then comes the issue of who joins Willy and Lance in the outfield. I'd go with Burke ahead of Lane. For fairness' sake there is an argument to be made for Lane since he has very good numbers against Matt (5 ABs) as the link above shows but his entire 2005 post season stats has been poor. Look at it this way, Lane is below 0.25 for the playoffs while Burke is at an unlawful 2.500 or even greater. His average and OB percentage is very healthy as well. So far, Burke has taken the x-factor nod. What do you guys think? Also a day off could be good for Lane as well even though he just had two days off earlier this week.
You got to play the hot hand right now. Burke's confidence is so high right now and Lane is just too impatient at the plate right now.
Can't BURKE PLAY SS? and take out Everett because I dont care how much you guys keep on saying his Dfense is gooood but I dont think so. Is just ok..... and oh by the way ..... HE CAN"T HIT !! Willy Biggio Berkman Ensberg Lane Burke Lamb Ausmus
I would give him a serious look at SS in spring training...but now's not the time to be experimenting like that. I don't think Burke has ever played SS for the 'Stros.
It's Lane or Lamb out of the lineup in order to get Burke in...Adam Everett will stay at SS barring injury Garner MUST get Burke in the lineup...without him in tonight's game, this might have gone into extra innings.
Burke is a horrible shortstop for the majors, sad but true. Here is the lineup I'd have for game 3. 2B Biggio CF Taveras 1B Berkman 3B Ensberg RF Palmeiro (or Lamb) LF Burke C Ausmus SS Bruntlett (or Vizcaino)
Why not exploit the smaller corner outfield territory of Minute Maid and use Lane at center? Granted, center field is seemingly twice as large as right at MMP, but you can spread the defense a smidgeon thin and shade Burke and Berkman toward center. Willy's speed is countered by Lane's reaction time in center, while Burke seems to be more of a natural 2-spotter than Taveras. Biggio Burke Berkman Ensberg Lamb Lane Everett Ausmus Clemens "The Killer B's Lineup" has a nice ring to it.
Why do you have to bench Lane to get Burke in? What about Taveras? Burke could play CF. And Taveras only seems to get hits if no one is on. As hot as Burke is, even if he doesn't start, he'll be a great pinch hitter available to use in a key situation late.
Beltran was hot last yr in the playoff... this year is Burke ...... Stay with the KILLER "B's" !!!! Ensberg/Everett/Lane arn't showing up in the playoff ...... Berkman/Burke/Biggio ARE !!
That's the move I'm suggesting as well... except that Lane needs to stay in RF (where his arm is a plus), and let Burke handle CF (which he can). I don't trust Burke in RF... remember, he hasn't been an OF for that long, and when he has its only been in either LF or CF. RF is a position in MMP that demands an above average arm (and Burke does not have that). I know Willy hasn't been that bad... but besides moving Biggio to 2nd base, he really adds nothing to this lineup.
Yeah, you're right about RF being the most important place for an arm at MMP...I just pictured that huge center field and thought, "That's where you need your arm."
i would definately replace Taveras for Burke in CF. You have to match with the Cards and place your best hitting lineup in there, at least there are chances that most of them can go deep especially at MMP.
Actually, you could have a cannon and still not throw anybody out from that deep CF... thus the arm there is rendered neutral. But, RF is at a distance where its not too far away from home plate, thus there are several potential plays at the plate... but you have to have a guy with a good arm to do that. I really think Garner should think about Burke at CF... I'd like to see Pallilo's take on it tommorow.
Ludicrous. He sure adds more than Lane. Lane is a teaser and he is strictly in there for the power but unfortunately he is not doing us any good now like I feared. Lane is one player I hope I am wrong about but it does not look good. I think he has peaked in terms of his discipline - he will like end up becoming a very poor man's Dunn with very few walks...... He is not a dependable RBI guy because he is not smart enough to understand the fundamentals of that. Willy is also a better defender and he comes with the better thorw arm. He can sacrifice bunt - something Lane cannot do. Lane for now is an absolutely black hole. There is not need mincing words here - he has been beyond horrible in this series so far and even in the NLDS. I still hold out hope that he would turn it around since my desire to see the Stros win require consistent positive thinking. We should stop making excuses for this Lane. Even without the benefit of inside information, Lamb is definitely starting. I am hoping that Garner starts Burke even though he could be a liability in rightfield. It will be an interesting decision and I feel safe knowing that Garner gets it right 7 out of 10 times.
The answer should be Berkman to the outfield...Lamb to 1B. Especially at MMP, where Lamb does very well. I'm all for working Burke in. He can't play SS at the major league level, though. Been there..done that. Maybe they can work with him in the offseason, but his arm just isn't strong enough, apparently. I agree...that would be ideal. And he's not a rightfielder, either. Again with the arm.
I'd go with Burke, Lane, Berkman in the OF, Lamb at 1B. I'd be surprised to see Garner pull Willy T out of the lineup tho, it seems more likely that Lane will be the odd man out. Taveras hasn't been left out of a game in almost a month.
