The Royals

[ksupamplemousse]

I mean, there are basically three considerations when deciding where someone hits in a lineup (bullshit motivational ploys aside). Is the player your best option at that spot? If so, is that a spot where the player thrives as a hitter? L/R order.

[Cartierfor3]

Esky still being the leadoff hitter is what is Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!). I was much more frustrated at the beginning of the year when Ned announced that Esky was hitting leadoff than I was when he announced that Moose was hitting second. Alex is by far the best leadoff candidate on this team. He has better power, average, and discipline at that spot than any other spot in the lineup (not to mention it's where he has the most experience). Yet, Ned refuses to look at that one spot in the order objectively and it's infuriating. Ned has grown on me, but batting Esky at leadoff over Gordo should actually be a fireable offense if we were to miss the playoffs this year.

If we miss the playoffs, that won't be the thing we look back on. It will be starting pitching. I'd rather have Gordon leadoff too, but right now, Moose is your best for #2, and you don't want L/L at the top.

[Cartierfor3]

Omar Infante is 2nd on the team in doubles and 3rd in triples.

[sys]

cain, moose, morales, hosmer, perez, gordon, rfielder, infante, escobar.

gordon, cain, moose, morales, hosmer, perez, rfielder, infante, escobar.


i kinda like cain better, but the the l,r,l thing works better with gordon.  if right fielder either hits better or is a faster player, i'd probably want it either in front of perez or stacked next to escobar (and maybe wrapping to cain).

[Cartierfor3]

Will the rain hold off tonight? 

forecast I'm seeing shows a 13% chance of rain so I think we're good

[sys]

moose doesn't seem super smart.  if you hit him third but told him he was still hitting 2nd, he might not notice.

[Cartierfor3]

moose doesn't seem super smart.  if you hit him third but told him he was still hitting 2nd, he might not notice.

he's the most good ol' boy ball playery guy around.

[ksupamplemousse]

Esky still being the leadoff hitter is what is Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!). I was much more frustrated at the beginning of the year when Ned announced that Esky was hitting leadoff than I was when he announced that Moose was hitting second. Alex is by far the best leadoff candidate on this team. He has better power, average, and discipline at that spot than any other spot in the lineup (not to mention it's where he has the most experience). Yet, Ned refuses to look at that one spot in the order objectively and it's infuriating. Ned has grown on me, but batting Esky at leadoff over Gordo should actually be a fireable offense if we were to miss the playoffs this year.

If we miss the playoffs, that won't be the thing we look back on. It will be starting pitching. I'd rather have Gordon leadoff too, but right now, Moose is your best for #2, and you don't want L/L at the top.

The value you would lose by switching Cain and Moose in the lineup would be easily made up by the value you would gain by replacing Esky with Gordo in the leadoff spot. Also, obv starting pitching would be the biggest culprit in us missing the playoffs, but Ned has basically no control over that. He has a great deal of control over the lineup.

[420seriouscat69]

Will the rain hold off tonight? 

forecast I'm seeing shows a 13% chance of rain so I think we're good

[Cartierfor3]

Esky still being the leadoff hitter is what is Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!). I was much more frustrated at the beginning of the year when Ned announced that Esky was hitting leadoff than I was when he announced that Moose was hitting second. Alex is by far the best leadoff candidate on this team. He has better power, average, and discipline at that spot than any other spot in the lineup (not to mention it's where he has the most experience). Yet, Ned refuses to look at that one spot in the order objectively and it's infuriating. Ned has grown on me, but batting Esky at leadoff over Gordo should actually be a fireable offense if we were to miss the playoffs this year.

If we miss the playoffs, that won't be the thing we look back on. It will be starting pitching. I'd rather have Gordon leadoff too, but right now, Moose is your best for #2, and you don't want L/L at the top.

The value you would lose by switching Cain and Moose in the lineup would be easily made up by the value you would gain by replacing Esky with Gordo in the leadoff spot. Also, obv starting pitching would be the biggest culprit in us missing the playoffs, but Ned has basically no control over that. He has a great deal of control over the lineup.

I mean, Ned's done some bone head stuff this year (Rios batting 3rd in STL, etc.) but he's been pretty good overall. His greatest value is handling the bullpen well, and keeping the players steady and even. I didn't give him enough credit for that in the past. The lineup thing is what it is. I think over time it won't impact our record

[420seriouscat69]

I won't be released from prison till 7pm tonight, so no tailgating for me, I'll just be walking across the street. However, maybe I can buy ya a cold one inside. We'll probably go to rivals for a little bit.

[ksupamplemousse]

Esky still being the leadoff hitter is what is Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!). I was much more frustrated at the beginning of the year when Ned announced that Esky was hitting leadoff than I was when he announced that Moose was hitting second. Alex is by far the best leadoff candidate on this team. He has better power, average, and discipline at that spot than any other spot in the lineup (not to mention it's where he has the most experience). Yet, Ned refuses to look at that one spot in the order objectively and it's infuriating. Ned has grown on me, but batting Esky at leadoff over Gordo should actually be a fireable offense if we were to miss the playoffs this year.

If we miss the playoffs, that won't be the thing we look back on. It will be starting pitching. I'd rather have Gordon leadoff too, but right now, Moose is your best for #2, and you don't want L/L at the top.

The value you would lose by switching Cain and Moose in the lineup would be easily made up by the value you would gain by replacing Esky with Gordo in the leadoff spot. Also, obv starting pitching would be the biggest culprit in us missing the playoffs, but Ned has basically no control over that. He has a great deal of control over the lineup.

I mean, Ned's done some bone head stuff this year (Rios batting 3rd in STL, etc.) but he's been pretty good overall. His greatest value is handling the bullpen well, and keeping the players steady and even. I didn't give him enough credit for that in the past. The lineup thing is what it is. I think over time it won't impact our record

I agree with most of that, but I think Alex could be worth a couple games a year if he replaced a really bad leadoff hitter. Agree to disagree I guess.

[mocat]

moose doesn't seem super smart.  if you hit him third but told him he was still hitting 2nd, he might not notice.

he's the most good ol' boy ball playery guy around.

his interview last year after he got out of his slump was one of the most amazing things i have ever heard

[8manpick]

There are 5 players in the Majors who walk less than Escobar (Infante walks the least)
There are 24 players who get on base less (Infante again least)
16 players with less ISO power
13 players see fewer pitches per PA (Perez & Infante tied for 9th fewest)
Only 4-6 on steals this season

The only worse leadoff hitter you can think of would be Infante.  There are few worse hitters around the league, and none of them bat leadoff.

[mocat]

the steals is the weirdest one. why isn't he running more?

[8manpick]

He can sort of get away with the horrific plate discipline and absent power if he hits in the .280-.300 range and steals 25 bases, although you don't want him leading off even then.  When he hits for lower average, it is really bad.

[TownieCat]

The Royals are 0-7 when Joe Blanton pitches this season

[Tobias]

The Royals are 0-7 when Joe Blanton pitches this season

is wacky going to #blessed himself with it being a wednesday game, too?

[420seriouscat69]

The Royals are 0-7 when Joe Blanton pitches this season

is wacky going to #blessed himself with it being a wednesday game, too?

I'm going to change the odds. 

[bones129]

The Royals are 0-7 when Joe Blanton pitches this season

 

[kslim]

its rough ridin' Milwaukee. i think joe will do just fine, im calling 6-2 score

[420seriouscat69]

The last game I went to was the wild card game. I'm so relaxed right now, about tonight's game. #ForeverRoyal

[TownieCat]

its rough ridin' Milwaukee. i think joe will do just fine, im calling 6-2 score

Agreed. He's only had mop up duty in relief, just thought it was interesting.

Milwaukee isn't exactly trotting out Sandy Koufax tonight, but Fiers has been pretty solid his past 7 starts. He's also been much better on the road (2.48) than at home (5.45).

Blanton will need a 5ip/2er type of effort tonight.

[TownieCat]

Sorry to interrupt everyone's Esky bash sesh... Carry on.

[Cartierfor3]

The Royals are 0-7 when Joe Blanton pitches this season

 

he never entered a game where we were ahead or tied