ST Game Thread: March 1st: Baltimore (0-0) @ Atlanta (0-0)

I think you're 100% right, especially regarding how they view Olivera. If he doesn't prove himself enough this spring to bat in the top half of this putrid lineup, we can pretty much write him off as a bust.

I'd rather see Nick and his .350+ OBP in one of the top 2 spots, but it won't really matter much with this group of hitters.

I'd like to see Markakis batting second as well but that leaves the problem of who hits cleanup. No matter how you rearrange things you keep leaving massive holes.
 
I'd like to see Markakis batting second as well but that leaves the problem of who hits cleanup. No matter how you rearrange things you keep leaving massive holes.

Ender is going to be LO.. FF will be 3rd. Batting any Lefty in the 2 hole will create matchup problems later in any game. Nick is going to have to stay out of the 2 hole unless you move Ender or FF.. it is that simple.
 
I'd like to see Markakis batting second as well but that leaves the problem of who hits cleanup. No matter how you rearrange things you keep leaving massive holes.

Correct. In order to field a competent 1-4 portion of a lineup a team must have 4 legit hitters. Since the Braves only have 2 legit hitters in Freeman and Markakis, it doesn't really matter where they hit.

Freese would still look nice at 3B and in the middle of this lineup.
 
Ender is going to be LO.. FF will be 3rd. Batting any Lefty in the 2 hole will create matchup problems later in any game. Nick is going to have to stay out of the 2 hole unless you move Ender or FF.. it is that simple.

Actually, the 4th slot in the lineup is more important than the 3rd slot according to The Book, so the lineup should go:

Inciarte (vs RHers)
Markakis
Olivera (if he can post a 330+ OBP and 10+ HR power)
Freeman
Garcia
AJP
Aybar
Jace

But again, this is a 600 run offense, so bickering over which crappy player hits in a spot they aren't qualified for is pointless.
 
Actually, the 4th slot in the lineup is more important than the 3rd slot according to The Book, so the lineup should go:

Inciarte (vs RHers)
Markakis
Olivera (if he can post a 330+ OBP and 10+ HR power)
Freeman
Garcia
AJP
Aybar
Jace

But again, this is a 600 run offense, so bickering over which crappy player hits in a spot they aren't qualified for is pointless.

that would be moving FF to the 4th position, which I am fine with.. but there are other books that say your best hitter should hit 3rd because of xtra ABs per year. not sure, I think along the same lines.. but I am not in charge either..
 
Ender is going to be LO.. FF will be 3rd. Batting any Lefty in the 2 hole will create matchup problems later in any game. Nick is going to have to stay out of the 2 hole unless you move Ender or FF.. it is that simple.

True. We really, really need Olivera to hit. If he hits .270ish with a .330+ OBP and 10+ HRs then that gives us more options. We could go Ender, HO, Freeman, Markakis and have a decent top of the order. But sadly I don't expect him to hit near enough to warrant anything above 6th in the order.
 
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