View Full Version : I think Matsui should be batting third
Bozidar
05-29-08, 08:46 AM
I know he's not terribly fast, but he's the best hitter on the team right now. Move him down, shake things up, get other guys started up.
IMO.
Damon
Jeter
Matsui
Rodriguez
Giambi
Abreu
Cabrera
Cano
Molina
JavyVazquezIsSick
05-29-08, 08:52 AM
Giambi is the best hitter on this team right now.
NYDCYankee
05-29-08, 08:55 AM
Giambi is the best hitter on this team right now.
With Abreu right after that. Why shake things up when all of a sudden things have started to click.
If anything, bat Jeter last so he won't hit into double plays because Molina/Moeller are never on first base.
Jerkface
05-29-08, 08:56 AM
Giambi is more a 5th hitter type right now though, low average but high OBP and monster power. I like him behind A-rod.
Although I wouldn't be adverse to either in the 3 hole.
I'm assuming this is a lineup for RH starters?
primetime714
05-29-08, 09:32 AM
No way. Matsui is a guy you want up there in RBI situations. Abreu is guy you want up there to get on base ahead of ARod.
Why mix things up when our offense has just started to come alive?
Oh and Melky hitting 7th???
ZYanksRule
05-29-08, 11:14 AM
The offense is clicking right now -- don't change anything until they cool down again.
ARoDfan4life
05-29-08, 12:14 PM
It actually makes sense because he has the best splits in this situation. For instance the # 3 guy's job is to get on or move the line to the clean up hitter while moving the runner over.
Matsui w/ a runner on 1B in .452/.493/.720
man on 2 outs .345/.441/.414
man on 3B 2 outs .333/.400/.444
bases empty .318/.392/.477
he is a perfect #3 hitter to keep the line moving.
Both Matsui and Abreu are having good years, I think they are fine where they are.
fellows
05-29-08, 03:23 PM
Abreu's walks are way down even though he's hitting ok. I like Giambi and Matsui more against lefties too. IMO, having Arod sandwiched between Giambi and Matsui in any order makes the best lineup.
primetime714
05-29-08, 03:39 PM
It actually makes sense because he has the best splits in this situation. For instance the # 3 guy's job is to get on or move the line to the clean up hitter while moving the runner over.
Matsui w/ a runner on 1B in .452/.493/.720
man on 2 outs .345/.441/.414
man on 3B 2 outs .333/.400/.444
bases empty .318/.392/.477
he is a perfect #3 hitter to keep the line moving.
The problem is those stats also work well in the #5 spot where Matsui is also an excellent fit especially if teams look to walk ARod. I think a great point can be made that Matsui would be a better #3 hitter than Abreu, but I think Abreu in any other spot is not really properly utilized.
Abreu should remain in the 3-hole because his strength has been getting on base in front of guys like ARod and Matsui that can drive him home. Abreu can also drive in runs, but ARod, Matsui, and Giambi are probably a better fit in that role.
Personally I really like Abreu in front of ARod because he gets on base even with 2-outs and if ARod hits a double to the gap, he has the speed to score from first and it also sets up the 2-run HR which we've seen quite frequently from that combo the past couple years.
In the "typical" structure of a lineup where your 1-2 hitters are speedy on-base guys and your 3-4 hitters are usually your best offensive players and the guys who will drive in runs Abreu would fit in probably as a 1-2 type hitter. The problem is we have 3 of those guys with Damon, Jeter, and Abreu. So we run those 3 up there in the 1-3 spots and push our best RBI guys back to 4-6 which for this lineup makes a lot of sense IMO.
I say as long as A-Rod is batting in the middle of that lineup, you can pretty much throw everyone else just about anywhere and get reasonable success. Might as well just stick with it as is. It gets even better next week when Posada gets back! That should move Cano down, unless he decides in Minnesota that he would like to join the big leaguers and get on base a bit more.
Bozidar
05-30-08, 12:43 PM
Abreu's walks are way down even though he's hitting ok. I like Giambi and Matsui more against lefties too. IMO, having Arod sandwiched between Giambi and Matsui in any order makes the best lineup.yes, Abreu is making a lot more outs/pa than Matsui is right now.
effdamets
05-30-08, 12:47 PM
This isn't a bad idea...
Maybe flip flop Abreu and Matsui or even put Abreu 6th behind Jason, who happens to be hot right now.
Mastui, Alex, Jason, Abreu - in the 3, 4, 5 and 6 holes?
That could definitely work.
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