patsfan55
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2004
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That lineup is bad in that you have one the the 3 worst hitters of the starters (Coco) at the top of the lineup (you also have Helton and Drew as back-to-back lefties, which isn't good). Youk and Drew both deserve many more bats than Coco, especially Drew.
1 Drew - L
2 Lugo - R
3 Ortiz - L
4 Manny - R
5 Helton - L
6 Youk - R
7 Tek / Coco - S
8 Coco / Tek - S
9 Pedroia - R
Something like that makes much more sense. The problem is that you have so many lefties and you don't really want them back-to-back because then you invite LOOGYs (lefty one out guys) like Mike Myers into the game. So you start with Ortiz/Manny batting 3/4 (because it just works and you don't want to mess with it) and work out from there. Drew and Helton would be 2 lefties you want in your top 5 or 6 so you drop one at 5 and have the other lead off. I guess you could conceivably hit Drew 5th and Helton 7th, moving Youk to #2 behind Lugo but then you're batting a bum like Coco or Tek 6th between Drew and Helton (and I'm not sure if either of them is worse from the right - if so you'd bring in a lefty for 5-6-7).
Of course, this makes the Ortiz/Manny/Drew 3/4/5 disappear but I've never really believed Manny requires protection anyway. Also, Coco could move up if he proves that last year was an aberration (and given the finger injury I'm hoping it was).
Two other little nitpicks and I'm done: why would you want Helton in front of Drew? Drew is better and I want him getting more ABs. Also, don't count on Lester giving the Sox anything this year. The guy underwent chemo. If he gives them anything be happy, but don't plan on it.
yeah i was thinkin bout the lefty thing
but i def think coco will have a much better yr
you could see his swing and grip werent the same after the injury
i wouldnt mind havin youk second