Berardino: Top of batting order remains a riddle

[Riverbrian]

If I was the Manager:

 

I like handcuffing patient hitters... those work the count type guys (Mauer) behind my speed guys (Buxton) so they get some time to pick a pitch to run on while making the pitcher worry about them... who knows maybe steal 2nd and 3rd in the same at-bat. 

 

and I like handcuffing power with power for protection... create a murderers row if you will. Fine... If you want to pitch around Dozier... Go Ahead... Sano is on Deck... And if you want to pitch around Sano... Fine... Go Ahead... Vargas or Park is behind him... Put some traffic on base for them to drive in with a big fly. 

 

And... I'd put the worst hitter 8th so you can put a better hitter in the 9 spot to goose the lineup when it turns around. 

 

So... If Buxton is your 9 hitter then Mauer is your leadoff... If Buxton is leadoff than Mauer is #2. If Buxton is hitting 6th... Mauer is hitting 7th. 

 

Buxton as lead off

 

Buxton

Mauer

Dozier

Sano

Vargas

Kepler

Polanco

Castro

Rosario

 

Buxton batting 9th

 

Mauer

Polanco

Dozier

Sano

Vargas

Kepler

Rosario

Castro

Buxton

 

That's how I'd do it but Molitor can do whatever he likes. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

If I was the Manager:

 

I like handcuffing patient hitters... those work the count type guys (Mauer) behind my speed guys (Buxton) so they get some time to pick a pitch to run on while making the pitcher worry about them... who knows maybe steal 2nd and 3rd in the same at-bat.

 

and I like handcuffing power with power for protection... create a murderers row if you will. Fine... If you want to pitch around Dozier... Go Ahead... Sano is on Deck... And if you want to pitch around Sano... Fine... Go Ahead... Vargas or Park is behind him... Put some traffic on base for them to drive in with a big fly.

 

And... I'd put the worst hitter 8th so you can put a better hitter in the 9 spot to goose the lineup when it turns around.

 

So... If Buxton is your 9 hitter then Mauer is your leadoff... If Buxton is leadoff than Mauer is #2. If Buxton is hitting 6th... Mauer is hitting 7th.

 

Buxton as lead off

 

Buxton

Mauer

Dozier

Sano

Vargas

Kepler

Polanco

Castro

Rosario

 

Buxton batting 9th

 

Mauer

Polanco

Dozier

Sano

Vargas

Kepler

Rosario

Castro

Buxton

 

That's how I'd do it but Molitor can do whatever he likes.

i like Buxton batting lead off if he can cut down on his outs, esp Ks. If his OBP is similar to his minors, he'd be a great lead off guy.

[snepp]

 

That has always been my biggest gripe about Brian Dozier and hitting in 2-2 and 3-2 counts. Dozier has never seen a walk that he likes. Walks are part of the game and taking advantage of getting on base. That part of the game of baseball has never donned on Doziers brain. He never takes walks, and that is just a big part of being a leadoff hitter. You ignite bigger innings when you make the pitcher pay for having a lack of control with walks. That said Molitor will bat Dozier leadoff.

 

Brian Dozier has had a league average or better walk rate 4 consecutive years.