Author Topic: Annual Lineup Debate Thread (Read 8263 times)

Bench · « **on:** March 02, 2011, 09:05:15 pm »

According to FooterTweeting AstrosLining, Mills seemed committed to three lineup consistent lineup slots: Bourn leading off, Pence hitting third, and Carlos cleaning up.

And while Pence the three hitter is more optimistic than his track record, I can't think of too many other likely ways to construct the lineup.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2011, 10:33:19 pm »

2011 is shaping up to be a year of some very big expectations for young Gunther.

Reuben · « **Reply #2 on:** March 03, 2011, 01:07:15 am »

Bourn
Wallace
Pence
Lee
Johnson
Hall
Barmes
Castro
P

is how I'm guessing it'll look to start the year. Maybe they swap Wallace with Barmes for a while, if they're worried about putting too much pressure on Brett.

MusicMan · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2011, 05:56:30 am »

Quote from: Reuben on March 03, 2011, 01:07:15 am

Maybe they swap Wallace with Barmes for a while, if they're worried about putting too much pressure on Brett.

There isn't a 2-hole hitter in the lineup, so I'd put Barmes there and let Wallace develop.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #4 on:** March 03, 2011, 05:57:28 am »

I think Mills said a couple of days ago that they want Barmes in the #2 slot but could put Wallace in there occasionally. So, flip #2 and #7 and you've probably got the lineup.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2011, 09:01:50 am »

I'd bet on

Bourn
Barmes
Pence
Lee
Johnson
Wallace
Hall
Castro
P

Hall splitting the two young lefty hitters.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2011, 09:26:20 am »

Quote from: Jacksonian on March 03, 2011, 09:01:50 am

I'd bet on

Bourn
Barmes
Pence
Lee
Johnson
Wallace
Hall
Castro
P

Hall splitting the two young lefty hitters.

In late-breaking news ...

Bourn
Barmes
Pence
Lee
Johnson
Wallace
Hall
P
Towles

NeilT · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2011, 09:30:41 am »

Quote from: VirtualBob on March 03, 2011, 09:26:20 am

In late-breaking news ...

Bourn
Barmes
Pence
Lee
Johnson
Wallace
Hall
P
Towles

Line up? Who the hell are these people?

austro · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2011, 09:31:15 am »

Quote from: NeilT on March 03, 2011, 09:30:41 am

Line up? Who the hell are these people?

The usual suspects.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2011, 09:33:08 am »

Quote from: NeilT on March 03, 2011, 09:30:41 am

Line up? Who the hell are these people?

The usual suspects? Or was this a Butch Cassidy reference?

NeilT · « **Reply #10 on:** March 03, 2011, 09:38:03 am »

Quote from: VirtualBob on March 03, 2011, 09:33:08 am

The usual suspects? Or was this a Butch Cassidy reference?

It wasn't meant to be, but I'll take credit for it.

MusicMan · « **Reply #11 on:** March 03, 2011, 09:41:24 am »

Quote from: NeilT on March 03, 2011, 09:30:41 am

Line up? Who the hell are these people?

This guy's dead.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #12 on:** March 03, 2011, 09:41:55 am »

Uh...

GreatBagwellsBeard · « **Reply #13 on:** March 03, 2011, 09:44:34 am »

gimahthafugkinkaysyacoksockawhathafaa

MusicMan · « **Reply #14 on:** March 03, 2011, 09:46:58 am »

Commence Chron commenters suggesting we move Koby back to C in 3... 2... 1...

Ron Brand · « **Reply #15 on:** March 03, 2011, 09:51:08 am »

I saw it already this morning. If you like playing caroms off the backstop, he might be your guy.

MusicMan · « **Reply #16 on:** March 03, 2011, 09:52:22 am »

Quote from: Ron Brand on March 03, 2011, 09:51:08 am

I saw it already this morning.

Why don't you guys just switch to self-flagellation? It's got to be less painful.

JimR · « **Reply #17 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:25:21 am »

There is no #3 hitter on this team.

MusicMan · « **Reply #18 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:26:49 am »

Quote from: JimR on March 03, 2011, 10:25:21 am

There is no #3 hitter on this team.

We're praying that Wallace becomes that guy.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #19 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:27:01 am »

Quote from: MusicMan on March 03, 2011, 09:52:22 am

Why don't you guys just switch to self-flagellation? It's got to be less painful.

The sweat lodge was occupied.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #20 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:39:19 am »

Am I the only one who thinks Johnson in the 2 hole wouldn't be the worst thing in the world?

Jacksonian · « **Reply #21 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:40:55 am »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on March 03, 2011, 10:39:19 am

Am I the only one who thinks Johnson in the 2 hole wouldn't be the worst thing in the world?

Yes.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #22 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:43:54 am »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on March 03, 2011, 10:39:19 am

Am I the only one who thinks Johnson in the 2 hole wouldn't be the worst thing in the world?

I'd rather see him earn the #3, but he is probably better suited to #6. Too many swinging strikes for a #2.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #23 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:45:39 am »

Quote from: VirtualBob on March 03, 2011, 10:43:54 am

I'd rather see him earn the #3, but he is probably better suited to #6. Too many swinging strikes for a #2.

He's Chuckie Carr with power.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #24 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:45:50 am »

Quote from: Jacksonian on March 03, 2011, 10:40:55 am

Yes.

Well, I guess I'm officially alone on this then. I'm just thinking about stringing hits together and scoring runs. I'd try to get Bourn, Johnson, Pence and Lee somehow together. It ain't perfect, but that lineup...that lineup right there...is pretty fucking ugly any way you look at it.

EasTexAstro · « **Reply #25 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:47:08 am »

Wallace seems like he COULD be a good contact typw hitter for the 2nd spot, but he may not be there, yet. Question: Is there any thoughts on having a lefty batting second when you have a player like Bourn in front of him? Wallace seems patient, and could be good at contact, but is it good to have a right hand batter that can wait a little longer to push it through the right side in case of a steal/hit and run?

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #26 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:47:16 am »

Quote from: VirtualBob on March 03, 2011, 10:43:54 am

I'd rather see him earn the #3, but he is probably better suited to #6. Too many swinging strikes for a #2.

"Better suited" and "the spot which scores the 2011 Astros the most runs" aren't necessarily the same, IMO.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #27 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:48:33 am »

Quote from: EasTexAstro on March 03, 2011, 10:47:08 am

Wallace seems like he COULD be a good contact typw hitter for the 2nd spot, but he may not be there, yet. Question: Is there any thoughts on having a lefty batting second when you have a player like Bourn in front of him? Wallace seems patient, and could be good at contact, but is it good to have a right hand batter that can wait a little longer to push it through the right side in case of a steal/hit and run?

Having a lefty up with Bourn on 1B could be advantageous, but probably not for the reason you mention.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #28 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:48:40 am »

Quote from: EasTexAstro on March 03, 2011, 10:47:08 am

Wallace seems like he COULD be a good contact typw hitter for the 2nd spot, but he may not be there, yet. Question: Is there any thoughts on having a lefty batting second when you have a player like Bourn in front of him? Wallace seems patient, and could be good at contact, but is it good to have a right hand batter that can wait a little longer to push it through the right side in case of a steal/hit and run?

I thought the preference was to have a lefty #2 hitter, all other qualities being equal, because he'd pull it to the right side.

ETA: And block the catcher's view of 1B.

MusicMan · « **Reply #29 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:48:45 am »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on March 03, 2011, 10:45:50 am

It ain't perfect, but that lineup...that lineup right there...is pretty fucking ugly any way you look at it.

Having anyone willing to work the count would be an improvement.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #30 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:49:00 am »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on March 03, 2011, 10:47:16 am

"Better suited" and "the spot which scores the 2011 Astros the most runs" aren't necessarily the same, IMO.

Good point. And I guess we have to have someone in both #2 and #3 even if they do not fit well there. The Monty Python approach to filling out the lineup card probably will not work.

MusicMan · « **Reply #31 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:49:04 am »

Quote from: Ron Brand on March 03, 2011, 10:48:40 am

I thought the preference was to have a lefty #2 hitter, all other qualities being equal, because he'd pull it to the right side.

Only according to Fox News.

EasTexAstro · « **Reply #32 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:50:49 am »

Quote from: Ron Brand on March 03, 2011, 10:48:40 am

I thought the preference was to have a lefty #2 hitter, all other qualities being equal, because he'd pull it to the right side.

ETA: And block the catcher's view of 1B.

OK, thanks.

JimR · « **Reply #33 on:** March 03, 2011, 11:06:03 am »

A LH hitter will not try to pull the ball on a hit and run. The SS will gen be covering.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #34 on:** March 03, 2011, 11:47:52 am »

Quote from: JimR on March 03, 2011, 11:06:03 am

A LH hitter will not try to pull the ball on a hit and run. The SS will gen be covering.

True, he'd try to put the ball in play on a hit and run. What I meant was that I thought in a normal situation it would tend to open the field up a little more for the hitter because his pull field is right and the first baseman would probably be holding Bourn. But that's just my guess.

JimR · « **Reply #35 on:** March 03, 2011, 12:02:57 pm »

No. He would try to hit through the vacated SS position.

Tralfaz · « **Reply #36 on:** March 03, 2011, 12:04:09 pm »

Quote from: Ron Brand on March 03, 2011, 10:48:40 am

ETA: And block the catcher's view of 1B.

Wallace has a leg up on everyone in this department.

MRaup · « **Reply #37 on:** March 03, 2011, 01:12:13 pm »

Quote from: Tralfaz on March 03, 2011, 12:04:09 pm

Wallace has a leg up on everyone in this department.

A little higher.

And really, if that was the main job for a number 2 hitter, bring back Jason Jennings!

MusicMan · « **Reply #38 on:** March 03, 2011, 01:18:56 pm »

Quote from: MRaup on March 03, 2011, 01:12:13 pm

bring back Jason Jennings!

Shit.

First Towles, now Jennings?

Is it "Celebrate the Purpura era" day on the TZ?

Jacksonian · « **Reply #39 on:** March 03, 2011, 01:20:29 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on March 03, 2011, 01:18:56 pm

Shit.

First Towles, now Jennings?

Is it "Celebrate the Purpura era" day on the TZ?

Max Sapp might have been a good fit for the 2.

I just gave myself a small stroke.

MusicMan · « **Reply #40 on:** March 03, 2011, 01:24:23 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on March 03, 2011, 01:20:29 pm

Max Sapp might have been a good fit for the 2.

My recollection is that Sapp was only a good fit for pajama jeans.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #41 on:** March 03, 2011, 01:25:12 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on March 03, 2011, 01:20:29 pm

Max Sapp might have been a good fit for the 2.

Where's he pumping gas now?

JimR · « **Reply #42 on:** March 03, 2011, 01:44:55 pm »

I liked the Jennings deal when it was made.

geezerdonk · « **Reply #43 on:** March 03, 2011, 01:55:33 pm »

Quote from: JimR on March 03, 2011, 01:44:55 pm

I liked the Jennings deal when it was made.

So did the Astros' uniform supplier.

austro · « **Reply #44 on:** March 03, 2011, 02:04:33 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on March 03, 2011, 01:20:29 pm

I just gave myself a small stroke.

Good, now I won't have to do it for you. Bastard.

Limey · « **Reply #45 on:** March 03, 2011, 02:04:47 pm »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on March 03, 2011, 10:39:19 am

Am I the only one who thinks Johnson in the 2 hole wouldn't be the worst thing in the world?

N...T...T...A...W...W...T !!!!!

Lurch · « **Reply #46 on:** March 03, 2011, 02:36:22 pm »

Quote from: Limey on March 03, 2011, 02:04:47 pm

N...T...T...A...W...W...T !!!!!

Hot damn, the season has begun

Bench · « **Reply #47 on:** March 03, 2011, 03:07:12 pm »

Quote from: Limey on March 03, 2011, 02:04:47 pm

N...T...T...A...W...W...T !!!!!

Well played.

Limey · « **Reply #48 on:** March 03, 2011, 03:09:08 pm »

Quote from: Lurch on March 03, 2011, 02:36:22 pm

Hot damn, the season has begun

It was open, so I thought I'd slip that in there. Eh? Oh.

JackAstro · « **Reply #49 on:** March 04, 2011, 06:48:29 pm »

So, there's no #2, no #3, a metric shit-ton of #6's (none of whom will likely bat 6th), and the #8 is out for the year. But everything's square with #1, #4 and #7... unless #1 duplicates the middle of 2010, or #4 duplicates the first half. Cool.

Bench · « **Reply #50 on:** March 04, 2011, 06:54:55 pm »

Quote from: JackAstro on March 04, 2011, 06:48:29 pm

So, there's no #2, no #3, a metric shit-ton of #6's (none of whom will likely bat 6th), and the #8 is out for the year. But everything's square with #1, #4 and #7... unless #1 duplicates the middle of 2010, or #4 duplicates the first half. Cool.

So you're saying there's a chance.

roadrunner · « **Reply #51 on:** March 04, 2011, 07:15:09 pm »

Quote from: JackAstro on March 04, 2011, 06:48:29 pm

So, there's no #2, no #3, a metric shit-ton of #6's (none of whom will likely bat 6th), and the #8 is out for the year. But everything's square with #1, #4 and #7... unless #1 duplicates the middle of 2010, or #4 duplicates the first half. Cool.

At least we know what we'll get with #9.

WakePhil · « **Reply #52 on:** March 13, 2011, 09:20:55 am »

Millsy's take, courtesy of Levine:
http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2011/03/12/for-manager-mills-astros-batting-order-is-a-big-deal/

moriartp · « **Reply #53 on:** March 13, 2011, 10:03:20 am »

Quote from: WakePhil on March 13, 2011, 09:20:55 am

Millsy's take, courtesy of Levine:
http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2011/03/12/for-manager-mills-astros-batting-order-is-a-big-deal/

Pence’s preference is to hit high in the order so that his base running can have more of an impact on a game.

Captain, we have a saboteur on board.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #54 on:** March 13, 2011, 10:52:49 am »

Quote from: moriartp on March 13, 2011, 10:03:20 am

Pence’s preference is to hit high in the order so that his base running can have more of an impact on a game.

Captain, we have a saboteur on board.

Son, helter-skelter is not a baserunning strategy.

MusicMan · « **Reply #55 on:** March 14, 2011, 10:15:41 am »

Quote from: moriartp on March 13, 2011, 10:03:20 am

Pence’s preference is to hit high in the order so that his base running can have more of an impact on a game.

Captain, we have a saboteur on board.

We must give this American a wide berth.

Limey · « **Reply #56 on:** March 14, 2011, 10:31:26 am »

Quote from: MusicMan on March 14, 2011, 10:15:41 am

We must give this American a wide berth.

The worry is the Americans. If we meet the right sort, this will work.

We get some buckaroo...

MusicMan · « **Reply #57 on:** March 14, 2011, 10:36:28 am »

Quote from: Limey on March 14, 2011, 10:31:26 am

The worry is the Americans. If we meet the right sort, this will work.

We get some buckaroo...

Pence: What's so funny, Ryan?

Ryan: Apparently the captain thinks you're some sort of cowboy.

austro · « **Reply #58 on:** March 14, 2011, 11:03:17 am »

So, are we going to use "Crazy Ivan" to describe Pence's baserunning or his routes to balls?

MusicMan · « **Reply #59 on:** March 14, 2011, 11:06:26 am »

Quote from: austro on March 14, 2011, 11:03:17 am

So, are we going to use "Crazy Ivan" to describe Pence's baserunning or his routes to balls?

Fly balls. When the inning is in the bottom of the hour, he always breaks to ~~starboard~~ the right.

Limey · « **Reply #60 on:** March 14, 2011, 01:50:48 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on March 14, 2011, 11:06:26 am

Fly balls. When the inning is in the bottom of the hour, he always breaks to ~~starboard~~ the ~~right~~ wrong.

FIFY

VirtualBob · « **Reply #61 on:** March 14, 2011, 07:30:52 pm »

Quote from: Limey on March 14, 2011, 01:50:48 pm

FIFY

Maybe we could get someone to set up a sliding glass door near 3B ... all sorts of possibilities there.