I'd DH Bagwell. I would set the lineup as follows: Biggio Tavares Berkman Ensberg Lane Lamb Bagwell Ausmus Everett If we were to DH Lamb instead of Bagwell, our defense would be a little better because Berkman would play 1b, and our outfield would be lane, tavares and Burke. But this against quality pitching, we need lots of men on base. Bagwell can get on as well as anyone.
Bags. The others are valuable in a pinch hit situation. Bagwell still is a very intimidating hitter that scares pitchers. It has nothing to do with what he 'deserves' - I love the guy and he is synonamous with Astros baseball, but if he couldn't do the job I wouldn't have voted for him. We're in the WS to win not to make Bags feel good about himself.
Bagwell may not be the best option for trying to give us the best lineup possible for the simple fact that he has not had many ABs in a long time. However ... The Astros wouldn't be here with Bags, and he belongs in that spot, and I'd be seriously dissapointed.
THe DH position in the AL was made for players like Bagwell. Aging veteran sluggers who can't field anymore. IMO its a no brainer to go with Bagwell. There's the sentimental reason but also as we've seen in the last few weeks when Bags has pinch hit he can still get some key hits. Garner has already said that he wanted to use Bagwell in pinch hit opportunities when there was a chance to bring in an RBI without having to rely on a homerun but there weren't too many pinch hit situations where runners where in scoring position and it was obvious that a pitching change was going to be made. One other option might be to consider giving Bags a pinch hitting opportunity and then when he gets on base on a critical RBI situation pulling him for Orlando or someone else as a pinch runner. Platoon the DH position.
I think the scare fastor is real. If a base is open late, they'll walk him. He's a legend and the kids will be afraid to make a mistake to him.
Bagwell baby... although seeing mike Lamb against some of their righties isn't a bad idea either, I just think Bagwell would be a great story and probably a huge asset.
I might be wrong but im pretty sure you are not allowed to sub out a DH without the pitcher then having to bat in that spot...not sure how it works with pinch running and things, but i believe thats the rule
You might be right but I recall seeing the Twins sub out a DH. I'm not up on the DH rules so there might've been other factors involved in that sort of sub.
You put him right ahead of Lane in the lineup. You obviously can't justify putting him ahead of Berkman and Ensberg, but you don't want him behind Lane because he doesn't have the power to drive him in. If he is able to draw a walk or hit a single, Lane has a shot to get him home.
Bagwell would be perfect for the DH. I've heard that he has been crushing the ball in batting practice.
This sums it up for me, after I thought about it. Bags, until he shows he can't produce. I think he will.
Actually, yeah, that makes more baseball sense. Your most valuable hitter is out there defensively running around on one leg, and that also leaves you scrambling, trying to decide between Lamb and Burke. Why not have all three, AND better outfield defense? DH Berkman, at least against righties, so Lamb can hit them too, and pinch Baggy whenever the opportunity arises, such as a late scoring opportunity with Taveras up, or maybe Lane or Burke, if either have shown to be ineffective.. or for Lamb if they bring in a lefty late in the game, something liek that.. Don't get me wrong, my heart would like seeing Bags out there, but, as was already said, we are at the WS to give it our best shot of actually winning. It's a good problem to have, frankly. Despite anything we say, though, Bags will be out there, at least for the first game or two.. if he stinks it up, Phil will change it around.
You don't have to choose. Berkman plays first because he is better than Lamb at first. Seriously, it's not even up for debate. Burke,Tavares and Lane in the outfield. Lamb is the dh. That would be the best defensive unit the astros can field and the best hitting.
