The absence of Rickie Weeks, and some offensive struggles by Mike Cameron have lead to a radically different lineup for the Crew tonight against Houston. Let's take a look.1. Corey Hart, RF - This is the guy Brewers fans have been dying to see lead off for quite some time now, and he'll likely be at the top for the next 15 days, at least. Weeks, no matter how low that average is, still gets on base, and is Ned's choice to be in the leadoff spot. It'd be nice to clone Hart, so he could hit both from the leadoff and in the 5 hole, but a healthy Weeks is leading off as long as Yost is managing.
2. J.J. Hardy, SS - Hardy has been hitting well as of late, and moves up to the two spot, after previously hitting in front of the pitcher for the first two months of the seasons. Every other time he's hit at the 2 spot, he's struggled.
3. Ryan Braun, LF / 4. Prince Fielder, 1B - The Brewers two power hitters remain intact after switching to these positions earlier in the year.
5. Russell Branyan, 3B - I never thought I'd see the day Bill Hall and Russell Branyan were both in the starting lineup (well, maybe an interleague game) but that's what we have today. Branyan is for all intensive purposes our regular 3rd baseman at this point, we'll see how he produces with Prince in front of him.
6. Mike Cameron, CF - Cam's been struggling at the plate, as we mentioned. I wouldn't be surprised to see him back in the 2-hole sooner rather than later.
7. Bill Hall, 2B - Looks like he'll be the guy at second, rather than Iribarren, Counsell, or Dillon. Maybe this means that Iribarren was called up to man the outfield, after all. I'm not sure if this is a daily thing, or if Hall will still be in a platoon of some sort at second, but I was a little surprised to see him make yet another position switch. He does want to play though, and this is another opportunity for him to win his job back at 3rd.
8. Jason Kendall, C / 9. Pitcher - Kendall batting 9th had it's moments, but I see them going this route the rest of the year.
What do you guys think of the lineup? Will it go back to it's old ways after Weeks is back?
4 comments:
Weeks, no matter how low that average is, still gets on base, and is Ned's choice to be in the leadoff spot.
Average NL leadoff man in 2008:
.265/.335/.400
Rickie Weeks in 2008:
.210/.325/.358
Not just the batting average is way too low, but the on-base percentage as well. And the slugging.
And things are particularly bad when facing a righty pitcher (i.e. most of the time)... Weeks vs. righties in 2008:
.198/.305/.331
Hate to say it, but is Rickie overrated? Were the final two months of his season last year just a fluke?
(Splits via Baseball Reference)
Mat Gamel (clap clap)
I think Hall started at 2nd because of his good career numbers versus oswalt.
needs more dillon
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