MLB: 2009 Season Discussion Thread **Dodgers Acquire Thome, Garland (page 16)**
#125
#128
Matt
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Dont let KC fool ya, they're known for starting strong and then all of a sudden they turn into... well, the Royals. Hell they sweep the cards and the Yanks almost every year. Also, they are famous for playing GREAT ball after they have officially put themselves out of the hunt.
#133
My Garage
[QUOTE=ZeroPSI;10760941]Without a doubt, the Rangers have the best offense in the MLB, along with a steady stream of amazing prospects in the minor ranks. Their pitching is suspect, but when you have the ability to score 8+ runs a game, who needs a rockstar on theys
Teams with a better offense than Texas off the top of my head:
Brewers
Cubs
Dodgers
Redsox
Rays
Tigers
White Sox
Mets
Teams with a better offense than Texas off the top of my head:
Brewers
Cubs
Dodgers
Redsox
Rays
Tigers
White Sox
Mets
#134
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
#135
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Welcome back Bartolo Colon!
#136
Have camera, will travel
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Without a doubt, the Rangers have the best offense in the MLB, along with a steady stream of amazing prospects in the minor ranks. Their pitching is suspect, but when you have the ability to score 8+ runs a game, who needs a rockstar on theys
Teams with a better offense than Texas off the top of my head:
Brewers
Cubs
Dodgers
Redsox
Rays
Tigers
White Sox
Mets
Teams with a better offense than Texas off the top of my head:
Brewers
Cubs
Dodgers
Redsox
Rays
Tigers
White Sox
Mets
#137
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Hey, Acorn-Butt: I forgot to ask you, how was it watching your Twips get slapped up and down the diamond by the ChiSox...? You liked that...?!?
#138
My Garage
#139
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Question for the baseball experts: I heard Morgan yacking on TV tonight about how certain players have this "comfort" on where they bat. So, for instance, Soriano just is not right if he does not bat leadoff. Is that an ego thing or is there an actual psychological thinking needed for certain spots in the order?
Certainly, I know that the leadoff hitter's job is to get on base; and the #3 guy is supposed to be an RBI person. Obviously, for a guy like Ortiz et al, you would not want them at leadoff because they don't have the speed and etc. But, for other spots in the batting order, is there some sort of mind-set you need...?
Certainly, I know that the leadoff hitter's job is to get on base; and the #3 guy is supposed to be an RBI person. Obviously, for a guy like Ortiz et al, you would not want them at leadoff because they don't have the speed and etc. But, for other spots in the batting order, is there some sort of mind-set you need...?
#140
My Garage
Question for the baseball experts: I heard Morgan yacking on TV tonight about how certain players have this "comfort" on where they bat. So, for instance, Soriano just is not right if he does not bat leadoff. Is that an ego thing or is there an actual psychological thinking needed for certain spots in the order?
Certainly, I know that the leadoff hitter's job is to get on base; and the #3 guy is supposed to be an RBI person. Obviously, for a guy like Ortiz et al, you would not want them at leadoff because they don't have the speed and etc. But, for other spots in the batting order, is there some sort of mind-set you need...?
Certainly, I know that the leadoff hitter's job is to get on base; and the #3 guy is supposed to be an RBI person. Obviously, for a guy like Ortiz et al, you would not want them at leadoff because they don't have the speed and etc. But, for other spots in the batting order, is there some sort of mind-set you need...?
#142
Benchwarmer
It's a wonder Jon Miller hasn't smacked that righteous bastard yet.
#145
Question for the baseball experts: I heard Morgan yacking on TV tonight about how certain players have this "comfort" on where they bat. So, for instance, Soriano just is not right if he does not bat leadoff. Is that an ego thing or is there an actual psychological thinking needed for certain spots in the order?
Certainly, I know that the leadoff hitter's job is to get on base; and the #3 guy is supposed to be an RBI person. Obviously, for a guy like Ortiz et al, you would not want them at leadoff because they don't have the speed and etc. But, for other spots in the batting order, is there some sort of mind-set you need...?
Certainly, I know that the leadoff hitter's job is to get on base; and the #3 guy is supposed to be an RBI person. Obviously, for a guy like Ortiz et al, you would not want them at leadoff because they don't have the speed and etc. But, for other spots in the batting order, is there some sort of mind-set you need...?
As long as I've been playing basball/softball I can honestly say I never gave a damn where I batted in the order...I was used to being moved around since I was a multi-tool player and my main coach was always creative with his lineups anyhow. However, I did like some consistency. Not just for me, but the lineup as a whole.
The longer you play with people, the better you know their mental and physical strengths and weaknesses. So if the guy batting in front of me gets on base I would know right away what my plan would be depending on the current game situation. I would have a good idea if he was a smart baserunner or not, if he could beat out a throw from a certain part of the infield or outfield, how far I need to hit a sacrifice fly, etc.
And for the guys batting behind me, you would know (for example) how good they are or aren't in the clutch, so if it was a close game in the late innings I would know my confidence levels in those guys. Using that I would adjust my strategy accordingly. I played with one guy...it seemed like he would either go 4 - 4 with a couple extra base hits or 0-4 with 3 pop ups. Nothing else...you just never knew what you were going to get each day. So noticing patterns like that can help in certain situations and possibly determine who wins the game.
But anyways, I think it just adds to the whole team chemistry thing. It's no secret that the longer a team plays together the better they will play together. I think some consistency in the lineup does nothing but help this.
#146
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
^ Thanks, dude...
So, to answer my bigger question about Soriano refusing to move down the lineup: he's just a freaking baby...?
So, to answer my bigger question about Soriano refusing to move down the lineup: he's just a freaking baby...?
#148
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
#149
Did I ever tell you I saw and somewhat met him at a bar with some of the Reds players a year or two ago? A friend of mine is friends with a couple Reds guys and we just happened to see them out one night. Every player was cool except him...he just stood in the corner like a loner. He was freakin weird.
#153
Have camera, will travel
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I think the biggest thing about batting in different spots in the lineup at the ML level is that the approach changes. A leadoff guy has to think in terms of getting on base, and that involves being willing to take pitches and take a walk, which a lot of guys have trouble doing. That's one reason it can be argued that, as good a hitter as he is, Ichiro Suzuki is not a great leadoff hitter. He just won't talk walks, and his on base percentage suffers for it (most of the times). The M's have been trying for years to get him to take more pitches.
Batting third means the opposite in a lot of ways. You have to be aggressive about swinging the bat, and your focus is going to be getting hits and driving in runs, and getting on base to set the table for the cleanup guy. Same with batting cleanup, with an ever greater emphasis on driving the ball out of the ballpark.
There are definite differences. And playing ball in a softball league is not going to give you that perspective.
Batting third means the opposite in a lot of ways. You have to be aggressive about swinging the bat, and your focus is going to be getting hits and driving in runs, and getting on base to set the table for the cleanup guy. Same with batting cleanup, with an ever greater emphasis on driving the ball out of the ballpark.
There are definite differences. And playing ball in a softball league is not going to give you that perspective.
#154
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We'll see how it works out this year. It didn't last year, but they do have Manny for the whole season, if he doesn't get hurt, which isn't a given. As talented as Loney and Kemp appear to be, they are largely unproven, as is Ethier.
#155
Senior Moderator
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#157
Team Owner
iTrader: (4)
Well....I saw a lot of firsts today.
First real game at Citifield - Mets vs Padres.
First pitch - Strike by Mike Pelfrey. 92 mph Fastball.
First hit - 3rd pitch of the game. Homerun by Jody Gerut
First out - Brian Giles pop out to Jose Reyes.
First home hit - Double by David Wright.
First home run scored - Brian Schneider
First home RBI - Luis Castillo
First home homerun - 3 run shot by David Wright
And unfortunately the first loss by the METS at Citifield.
First real game at Citifield - Mets vs Padres.
First pitch - Strike by Mike Pelfrey. 92 mph Fastball.
First hit - 3rd pitch of the game. Homerun by Jody Gerut
First out - Brian Giles pop out to Jose Reyes.
First home hit - Double by David Wright.
First home run scored - Brian Schneider
First home RBI - Luis Castillo
First home homerun - 3 run shot by David Wright
And unfortunately the first loss by the METS at Citifield.