Possible lineup changes
Alright, after what i think was Detroit’s worst loss of the year, Leyland announces there will be some lineup changes coming. Speculation revolves around Sheffield batting further down the order, but Leyland promises some big changes. So i’ll take a guess and post what I’d do.
What is Detroit’s current issues? They are very right handed, and they don’t run well. They have a lot of power in the middle of the lineup, and the bottom of the order generally is too easy to get through. I think Curtis Granderson is a hell of a player and he’s probably too good to lead off right now. Polanco is a great hitter with runners in scoring position (historically), yet the bottom of the order isn’t on base enough to make it worthwhile. What are my possible projections?
Someone at the bottom of the order needs to lead off, either Renteria or Pudge. I’d go with Renteria based on his decent on-base percentage and higher batting average. Batting second? Carlos Guillen. He’s not fielding well right now, but still hitting well and getting on base. He’s also a switch hitter, lending some left / right ability through the lineup.
Third? Go with Granderson here. Speed and power and a left handed bat. He’s also cut down on his strikeouts and improved his walks; not quite Gary Sheffield in his prime, but let’s get some use out of his new power (5 home runs in only 10 games) with guys on base.
The next few spots are tough for me; We need to get Magglio in here (still our best hitter), Cabrera, and Polanco. Ideally I’d like to bat Polanco fifth, getting him more at-bats with runners on. But you can’t ignore the all-star in Cabrera needs more at-bats then the sixth hitter. So we’ll go Mags / Miguel / Placido in the 4/5/6 range.
Seven? I think you stick the DH in here. Sheffield most of the time, Thames if he is playing (left or DH). A little more power and some tougher at-bats near the bottom of the order.
Go with the catcher at spot #8. Pudge most days, Inge if he’s playing in this order. Ninth goes to Jacque Jones, who still somehow has a role on this team. I’d love to see Clete Thomas here, where you could actually put him at leadoff and get a better lefty / righty setup.
So here’s my recommendation for Jimmy Leyland, since he’s such a loyal reader:
- Renteria
- Guillen
- Granderson
- Ordonez
- Cabrera
- Polanco
- Sheffield
- Rodriguez
- Jones
Interesting part is the subs and how they plug directly into this lineup. I’d still like to see Santiago lead off with the way he’s hitting now; Inge fits at #8, as would Raburn at #9 (not that Raburn seems to fit into Leyland’s plans, I mean, why would you play a guy when Jacque Jones is hitting a hefty .173)
There you go. We’ve got under 24 hours to see what Leyland rolls out against Boston. But this is a HUGE series, something has to be done. Even if its a wake-up call to the players (and to Mr $13million Gary Sheffield), they need to play well against Boston.
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