IST: Cubs vs Cards at wrigley

[SilenceS]

Hating the lineup still. Soler should be four not Castro. Castro was there last year out of necessity. Do they feel he can't survive batting elsewhere?
Also again with the pitcher batting 8th. Maddon said himself he is doing it for double switching, and not to help the lineup any. He really should focus on scoring runs instead of thinking he's developed something new. Stick to what you know Joe.

He believes Soler is one of his better hitters so he bats him 2. He is essentially third in the lineup when it turns over. Rizzo 4 and Castro 5. It will be juggled when Bryant comes up, but I believe your best hitter should bat 2nd.

 

[SilenceS]

honestly I am not sure who of us on CCS knew the lack of pickoffs but I have to admit I was dumbfounded that it was true of anyone let alone a great pitcher like Lester. Being lefty naturally helps to hold runners but to not toss and still be as dominant as Lester is really surprises me. It's almost like giveing a Billy Hamilton a double or triple each time he reaches first base.

Without any data, I am under the impression that the NL is a much "speedier" league so he might want to make at least a token toss over there from time to time.

It was known. I have heard about it before but know acted like it was a big deal until he got here.

 

[WrigleyvilleTimes]

Traditionally your best hitter occupies the 3 spot. With sabermetrics being implemented:
1 spot - is your top OBP guy
2 spot - 2nd best OBP guy
3 spot - best offensive player (Offensive WAR based)
4 spot - best slugging percentage
5 spot - 2nd best slugging percentage
6 spot - 3rd best OBP not occupied by previous hitter in order
7 spot - 4th best OBP not occupied by previous hitter in order
8 spot - weakest OBP of position players, typically greatest Defensive WAR value
9 spot - pitcher

 

[SilenceS]

Traditionally your best hitter occupies the 3 spot. With sabermetrics being implemented:
1 spot - is your top OBP guy
2 spot - 2nd best OBP guy
3 spot - best offensive player (Offensive WAR based)
4 spot - best slugging percentage
5 spot - 2nd best slugging percentage
6 spot - 3rd best OBP not occupied by previous hitter in order
7 spot - 4th best OBP not occupied by previous hitter in order
8 spot - weakest OBP of position players, typically greatest Defensive WAR value
9 spot - pitcher

New studies are showing that you should bat your best batter 2nd. It gives them more plate appearances a year with around the same amount of men on base as the 3 spot. Its why you see teams putting Trout, Batista, and other there. Of course, the structure of your team will depend but the 2 hole stat says your best hitter should hit there.

 

[SilenceS]

Especially, with the way the Cubs are batting a player 9th. The two hole would come up with even more chances with men on base.

 

[beckdawg]

New studies are showing that you should bat your best batter 2nd. It gives them more plate appearances a year with around the same amount of men on base as the 3 spot. Its why you see teams putting Trout, Batista, and other there. Of course, the structure of your team will depend but the 2 hole stat says your best hitter should hit there.

Not entirely arguing with the conclusions you're presenting here but the difference in PAs is like 15 over a full season betweeen 1-2, 2-3, 3-4...etc. I'm not really sure that's consequential

 

[beckdawg]

Cubs picked up James Russell. Looks like it was a minor league deal. Interesting pick up for next to nothing.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/04/cubs-to-sign-james-russell.html

 

[chibears55]

Cubs picked up James Russell. Curious to see who gets sent down.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/04/cubs-to-sign-james-russell.html

Minor league deal.. he will start in AAA

 

[brett05]

It was known. I have heard about it before but know acted like it was a big deal until he got here.

No one talked about it anywhere prior to Sunday.

 

[beckdawg]

Lead off walk. Pack it in, seasons over.

 

[WrigleyvilleTimes]

New studies are showing that you should bat your best batter 2nd. It gives them more plate appearances a year with around the same amount of men on base as the 3 spot. Its why you see teams putting Trout, Batista, and other there. Of course, the structure of your team will depend but the 2 hole stat says your best hitter should hit there.

Very interesting. I'll have to look into this more. I appreciate the insight! In regards to the Cubs batting the pitcher 8th and a position guy 9th, Maddon had said he would do this when he didn't expect a starter to go deep into a game. This means that early in the season we can expect the Cubs to bat a pitcher 8th more often than mid-summer, as pitchers are still building up their stamina. Come mid-summer we should see a pitcher bat 8th maybe once every six or seven games would seem appropriate. Considering the current roster construction, the Cubs have immense flexibility. The double switch was implemented twice on Opening Night alone. It really played to Maddon's advantage.

 

[Parade_Rain]

It was known. I have heard about it before but know acted like it was a big deal until he got here.

Shark had some issues holding runners on as well. Stone was on the Score this morning talking about how both Lester and Shark needed to work through some things and improve (Shark was too slow to the plate). I guess Stone is just a blowhard in panic mode.

 

[SilenceS]

No one talked about it anywhere prior to Sunday.

It was never an issue because it isnt n issue. He has survived for how long the same way. Jason Hammels allowed something like 20 straight base stealers last season. Where was the uproar?

 

[SilenceS]

Very interesting. I'll have to look into this more. I appreciate the insight! In regards to the Cubs batting the pitcher 8th and a position guy 9th, Maddon had said he would do this when he didn't expect a starter to go deep into a game. This means that early in the season we can expect the Cubs to bat a pitcher 8th more often than mid-summer, as pitchers are still building up their stamina. Come mid-summer we should see a pitcher bat 8th maybe once every six or seven games would seem appropriate. Considering the current roster construction, the Cubs have immense flexibility. The double switch was implemented twice on Opening Night alone. It really played to Maddon's advantage.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=20824

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...ing-second-is-trending-for-all-stars/2653079/

 

[Parade_Rain]

Not entirely arguing with the conclusions you're presenting here but the difference in PAs is like 15 over a full season betweeen 1-2, 2-3, 3-4...etc. I'm not really sure that's consequential

More production opportunities. Soler belongs in 2 hole...Castro in 4th or 5th.

 

[beckdawg]

More production opportunities. Soler belongs in 2 hole...Castro in 4th or 5th.

Not arguing that. Just saying it's not really a matter of more PAs as 15 over 650-700 is a drop in the bucket.

 

[Diehardfan]

At this point, it doesn't matter what the order is as nearly no one is even getting OB. They're back in the mode where every pitch they see is a good one. Not a good thing for this group.

 

[SilenceS]

Not arguing that. Just saying it's not really a matter of more PAs as 15 over 650-700 is a drop in the bucket.

More PA's. More chances. One hit in the right time can change the game.

 

[Crda44]

Ok I'm going to fucking shoot myself I can only watch the game on fox sports MW these comentators are horrible

 

[SilenceS]

At this point, it doesn't matter what the order is as nearly no one is even getting OB. They're back in the mode where every pitch they see is a good one. Not a good thing for this group.

Its baseball. If you sail 70% of the time, you are a hall of famer. Keep calm and watch on