I can't bear the thought of the Astros playing a Word Series with Jeff Bagwell watching from the dugout. I don't care if he fails spectacularly, he gets to try. Because he's Jeff ****ing Bagwell.
what are you talking about? bagwell did little to help the astros to the world series this year. i love baggy. but unless you genuinely think lamb isn't as good...theres no reason for bags to be the DH. now if lamb sucks or if you dont think lamb is good...fine. but otherwise bags shouldn't be the DH. pinch hit sure. DH? no.
Lamb versus Ls: .179 .217 .339 (av, onbase, slug) Lamb versus Rs: .248 .298 .436 Bags versus Ls: .300 .423 .450 Bags versus Rs: .238 .340 .363 No question you play Bags over Lamb versus lefties. But Lamb should probably start as DH versus righties based on his season and playoffs.
Why is the debate between Lamb and Bagwell? They should both be in the lineup except Lamb against lefties. The lineup should be the same that we used in the Cardinals series, with Bagwell at DH. Against righties, Tavares or Burke sits. Against lefties, Lamb sits.
Bags gets the nod in game one ~ you just can't sit him after all he's done for this franchise. If he feels he would be holding the team back I guarantee that he would sit himself.
Berkman as DH! I'll admit, I was dead-set on Bagwell as the DH until I really thought about it. You have to put the best combination of hitting and defense out there. So I would also go with Berkman or Lamb at DH. You'd have to ask someone on the team who is TRULY the better 1B, but I would agree with Joe Joe and say that Lamb would be. Why? Lamb's an infielder while Berkman is an outfielder. The skill set from 3B to 1B transfers much better, IMO, than from LF to 1B. Yes, Lamb's not known for his defense, but that was at 3rd base, a MUCH harder position to field. Yes, Lamb had that dumb@ss error as well, but I still think he would be better at 1B than Berkman. However, when the Astros have been making defensive replacements, Berkman is almost always at 1B. I'm guessing that it's probably because Garner wants to save Lamb on the bench or that he has already been used. You would rarely remove Berkman from the game unless you felt you really HAD to, like in that 18 inning game. Regarding Bagwell as the DH, the only arguement is vs LHP, IMO. I wouldn't bench Lamb, Burke or Taveras vs RHP to get Bagwelll to DH. You lose too much in speed and defense and gain marginally in OPS based on his tiny sample of ABs. Look at the numbers (Regular Season only): OPS vs. RHP this year: Bagwell = 0.703, Lamb = 0.734, Burke = .661, Taveras = .695 OPS post All-Star (post surgery): Bagwell = 0.583 (0.685 in Sept, his best month Post A-S), Lamb = 0.795, Burke = 0.781, Taveras = 0.619 2005 Post Season: Bagwell = 1.000, Lamb = 1.625, Burke = 2.750, Taveras = 0.829 Granted, the post A-S and Post Season numbers are not split L vs. R but you get the idea. Post surgery Bagwell is not good enough to replace anyone in the lineup vs RHP, IMO. I agree that Bagwell has better numbers than Lamb vs. LHP (0.873 vs .0556), that he is overwhelmingly the sentimental favorite and moreover, if he's taking a roster spot and all he can do is hit then it seems you are obligated to put him at DH. However, Bagwell seems like an easy choice based on PAST results while the truth is that he is still recovering from a MAJOR injury. Most of those LHP number ae pre-surgery He is not the same hitter that put up those numbers versus LHP. One could argue he is better now than before since he is more rehabilitated and has no pain. So maybe I'd concede replacing Lamb vs LHP. Bagwell is also the sentimental choice, but consider the possible 4 outcomes: Bagwell DH's, Astros win. Bagwell sits, Astros win. Bagwell DH's, Astros lose. Bagwell sits, Astros lose. Obviously, A is the scenario everyone is hoping for. If outcome B happens, how would Bagwell feel about not really contributing at all? Probably like Bledsoe of 2003. If outcome C happens, would you (or Bagwell) rather have him play in a World Series game and lose, knowing that the absolute best team is not out there. If outcome D happens, then tip your cap to the ChiSox. From what I've gathered over the years, the absolute last thing Bagwell wants to do is hamper his team's chances at winning. He knows his current abilities better than anyone, and if he thought the team had a better chance of winning without him than with him, he would ride the bench. That's the kind of TEAM player Bagwell is. All that being said, I'd LOVE to see Bagwell play in the World Series, but again, only if it give the Astros the BEST chance at winning.
Berkman was a 1st baseman throughout high school and college. He didn't move to the outfield until he got to the high minors and Bagwell was blocking 1st base. He's much better at first than Lamb.
No way, Tavares not only makes the defense better, he gives you base speed and a fine on base %. Against Yadier Molina (probably the toughest defensive catcher in the league) the base speed factor was made largely irrelevant, against AJP a below average throwing catcher, it is very relevant. Burke is a good fielder too, and has a very hot bat versus lefties and righties. I think both should play every Chi game. IMO Berkman is much better defensively than Lamb at 1B.
Bagwell has earned the right to DH in this series. No question about it in my mind. Plus even rusty, he's a better, smarter hitter than any of the other possible DHers in the first place.
Bags ! He has respect of the opposing team, but more importantly the umps. And, he can still hit..... DD
Bagwell should, and if the Astros win, he will likely call it a career, and probably nearly did in May... A fitting end if it all comes together, and the only right thing to do!
