Day-to-day lineup decisions

[strosrays]

I don't think I am any smarter than even Justice or JdjO, much less Cooper, so I don't believe I know better or anything. . . but I am curious about the way the Astros' current manager manipulates his batting order/starting lineup from day to day.

There are several things I do not understand, but relating specifically to yesterday's game:  As this season's batting order does not exactly resemble the 1927 Yankees, wouldn't it be better to sit one regular at a time whenever possible?  Berkman and P. Rodriguez are about 1/3 to 1/2 of the offense, such as it is, at this point.  Sitting them both for the same game just doesn't seem prudent.  There was some reasoning by Brown and JD that Cooper wanted Pudge to catch all three games against Atlanta, so he was going to rest him last night.  OK.  But why Berkman, too?  Especially in Cincinnati, where he thrives; especially against a sometimes tough pitcher when you are already sitting your starting catcher/offensive contributor.

Are these lineup decisions just made randomly?  If not, I'd be appreciative if someone would take a shot at explaining Cooper's rationale on this.

[Tralfaz]

Maybe it was something he ate?

Berkman missed alot of spring training.  Could be there is an injury concern that is not being shared?

[Taras Bulba]

I don't think I am any smarter than even Justice or JdjO, much less Cooper, so I don't believe I know better or anything. . . but I am curious about the way the Astros' current manager manipulates his batting order/starting lineup from day to day.

There are several things I do not understand, but relating specifically to yesterday's game:  As this season's batting order does not exactly resemble the 1927 Yankees, wouldn't it be better to sit one regular at a time whenever possible?  Berkman and P. Rodriguez are about 1/3 to 1/2 of the offense, such as it is, at this point.  Sitting them both for the same game just doesn't seem prudent.  There was some reasoning by Brown and JD that Cooper wanted Pudge to catch all three games against Atlanta, so he was going to rest him last night.  OK.  But why Berkman, too?  Especially in Cincinnati, where he thrives; especially against a sometimes tough pitcher when you are already sitting your starting catcher/offensive contributor.

Are these lineup decisions just made randomly?  If not, I'd be appreciative if someone would take a shot at explaining Cooper's rationale on this.

I wondered the same thing and thought maybe that Berkman may have been nicked up.  Then, he hit that frozen rope when he came in to pinch hit, so he looked pretty damn healthy.  I'm also not a professional baseball man, but sitting both of those guys against a stud pitcher still has me scratching my head.

[Lurch]

I wondered the same thing and thought maybe that Berkman may have been nicked up.  Then, he hit that frozen rope when he came in to pinch hit, so he looked pretty damn healthy.  I'm also not a professional baseball man, but sitting both of those guys against a stud pitcher still has me scratching my head.

Coop says it was a joint decision between him and Lance.  Hopefully Footer will clarify with Lance.

"It's difficult, but you have to look at the big picture," Cooper said. "In this case, we both agreed it was the best thing to do. I don't like to do it at home, in front of the home crowd. I really don't like doing it in Cincinnati, because of what he's done here. But he really needs a break. If we have to shoot him out there in the seventh or eighth to pinch-hit, we can do that."

[Gizzmonic]

Sit him the day before an off day in Cincinatti, when your team has to face a stud pitcher.  That doesn't sound good, either he's hurt or Coop is a boob.

[Fredia]

Coop is a boob.

pretty much seems to cover a lot of things
another streak bites the dust

[kevwun]

It's ok, it's not like Berkman does ridiculously well at the Great American Ballpark.  I would also suggest that Coop juggle the rotation to ensure that Oswalt never pitches against Cincinnati again.  They beat him that one time.

[Limey]

It's ok, it's not like Berkman does ridiculously well at the Great American Ballpark.  I would also suggest that Coop juggle the rotation to ensure that Oswalt never pitches against Cincinnati again.  They beat him that one time.

Lance Berkman vs. Edinson Volquez:  2 for 6, with a 2B and 4 walks, .333 / .600 / .500.

[Mr. Happy]

I have no clue what Cooper's thinking. He sounds like he's trying to mollify the second guess crowd.