OT: Tigers v. Twins 8/16/11 [New lineup again - Avila moves up]
JV on the mound, so kinda a must win game (not really, but please win the effing game).
Lineup:
Jackson
Boesch
Young
Cabrera
Martinez
Avila
Peralta
Kelley
Santiago
What are the opinions from the lineup criticizers out there? I like this lineup (I think the 3 hole is overrated and most stats back that up), so I like this as the defensive lineup. I might prefer, depending on the team we're playing, to have the power lineup in there, replacing Kelley/Santiago with Betemit/Raburn, then using the former as defensive replacements.
August 16th, 2011 at 7:56 PM ^
I dont get why Betemit isnt in there. Can someone please explain to me Jim Leyland's logic? If I can even call it "logic"
August 16th, 2011 at 7:58 PM ^
Kelley is better defensively. The Twins are annoyingly scrappy, fast, and play small ball. Leyland's going with a defensive lineup.
August 16th, 2011 at 8:10 PM ^
a defensive lineup... when JV is pitching? why?
betemit needs to play more, and santiago should be the regular 2b while guillen is out.
August 16th, 2011 at 8:56 PM ^
I could make the same argument the other way... why do we need an offensive lineup when JV is pitching? I think it has more to do with the Twins and less to do with JV.
August 16th, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^
August 16th, 2011 at 8:05 PM ^
Miggy with a 2 out RISP hit. 2 out ribbies get ya to heaven.
August 16th, 2011 at 8:06 PM ^
August 16th, 2011 at 8:09 PM ^
Your mom's gifts, too.
August 16th, 2011 at 8:36 PM ^
Your mom is cool
August 16th, 2011 at 9:06 PM ^
August 16th, 2011 at 9:30 PM ^
Will Leyland let Verlander go the distance? I don't see why not.
August 16th, 2011 at 11:14 PM ^
Verlander locking up the Cy Young.
August 16th, 2011 at 11:26 PM ^
Yes, Avila moves up. And Peralta moves DOWN while the new guy who's having the bad year gets the gig at #3. Leyland is still a gutless, superstitious old hick.
Betemit is hitting well enough to justify an everyday presence, defense be damned. Don Kelly should be replaced on the roster by whomever the Tigers feel is their most MLB-ready catcher in the farm system so Avila can have a real backup, not a valuable hitter whom the club is admittedly terrified of getting hurt behind the plate.
August 17th, 2011 at 12:11 AM ^
Um, what???
You realize rosters expand in two weeks, right? It'd be ridiculous to remove anyone for a third string catcher. The Tigers have something good with Avila catching and DHing on days off, switching with VMart.
The #3 spot is vastly overrated. There's a ton of stats to back this up. Peralta has been struggling. I'm good with him staying in the second half of the lineup - he can be more productive there than he can at #3 (the argument that he may get one more AB every 3-4 games is crazy).
Young may not be having a great year - but I like him at #3. As mentioned, #3 is kind of overrated - he's either going to be batting with two outs, no runners (so you want someone who can go yard, but don't want to waste a high BA w/o runners on) or he's looking to extend innings to Cabrera. I like it. The #5, #6 hitters are far more important than #3.
August 16th, 2011 at 11:26 PM ^
Santiago should be the primary 2b for this team. Plays a smooth second base, switch hitter, and i think he's a veteran hitter who is steay, can bunt, hit two homers this week. With the rest of this lineup you can afford one weaker hitting defense guy. Why Betemit is not starting five out of six games is beyond me.
August 17th, 2011 at 12:15 AM ^
Santiago is not a major league hitter. What he's done the last week is such a major outlier. Otherwise, I agree.
August 17th, 2011 at 12:06 AM ^
Why doesn't JL use Betemit more. It seems like we use him 50 percent of the time.
August 17th, 2011 at 1:15 AM ^
My guess is its all part of the plan. Just kidding. But I think JL could be saving his guys so that the late-season collapse does not happen this year.
August 17th, 2011 at 12:21 AM ^
The Indians are tied going into the 12th inning. They have dodged an unbelievable number of bullets tonight. Come on, Chisox.