scrambler wrote:andrew6586 wrote:Bigfist wrote:DrPoove wrote:andrew6586 wrote:This one hurts guys. Getting swept by Detroit was bad enough, but losing a game that you should have won against a team that is God awful is much worse. We need to win 11 games on this homestand. We got off on the wrong foot and need to rebound by winning the next three against Seattle.
It hurts because you play 11 games at home against proverbial turds in the punchbowl Mariners, Royals and A's. To lose in that fashion while scoring 0 earned runs is brutal.
But look at the lineup that was out there. Donald batting second. Fukudome 5th. Matt DHing 6th. Hanahan 7th. Marson 8th. Zeke 9th. I have seen AAA lineups better than this.
Yeah but look at who failed the most tonight: Brantley. We has been digressing over the last couple of weeks and tonight was crushing. Even with that horrible lineup we still had a chance to win. Brantley choked on a fatty when the presented itself.
This. Brantley is a brutal leadoff hitter. That's a problem with this team. Zero capable leadoff hitters. But an OBP under .320 doesn't cut it batting first. I thought Fukudome was a great candidate to leadoff as he was a .370 OBP guy with the Cubs, but as soon as he put on a Tribe uniform his walks ended and he can't get on base either. I guess Choo would be our best candidate now. HE can run a little too. Brantley needs to hit 6 or 7 I think. He's got some pop in his bat. Well, at least beofore injury he did.
My stating of stats is not looked highly upon and someone will tell me ignore Brantley's .320 OBP as a leadoff hitter. IT's fine.
You are correct. Brutal on base percentages for lead-off hitters. However, this is also the reason Brantley is still probably the best choice - cause then it boils down to guys getting the most at bats. Brantley has put together some nice at bats in big situations this year. Would you rather have Brantley get another plate appearance in the 9th, or would you like one of the other humps they've had lead off. And Fukodome stinks, so I'd rather he not get an additional swing either.
And understand I realize Brantley has about the worst nagging injury a hitter could have AND on a good team the guys probably a fourth outfielder, but they are dealing with a lot of garbage out there.
Bottom line, Brantley Fuko and Zeke have poor leadoff skills, but Brantley is the best player, so, he's the lesser of evils in regard to getting at bats.