Lineup when Soriano returns

[CubColtPacer]

It looks like it's getting closer to official now. From Cubs.com:

 

Kosuke Fukudome will drop to the two-hole so Soriano can bat leadoff. Ryan Theriot will likely see time in the eighth spot, while Jim Edmonds will likely find a home batting fifth -- "I sort of like the idea of a left-hander in the five-hole," said Piniella.

 

That ends up making the lineup against right-handers:

 

Soriano

Fukudome

Lee

Ramirez

Edmonds

Soto

DeRosa

Theriot

Pitcher

 

I like it a lot.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Problem is, Theriot was doing just fine at the 2 spot. Last year, his decline came when they moved him down toward the bottom.

[Schwarber Fan]

Problem is, Theriot was doing just fine at the 2 spot. Last year, his decline came when they moved him down toward the bottom.

 

Fukudome's has such a high OBP rate though that you need him at the top of the order, moving down Theriot is worth it. I like that lineup.

[soapy]

i like it too. if theriot does keep getting on base, then you have someone on in front of soriano, which is also obviously a plus.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Problem is, Theriot was doing just fine at the 2 spot. Last year, his decline came when they moved him down toward the bottom.

 

Nope.

 

2007 Theriot

 

1st: .300/.342/.420/.762, 161 PA's

2nd: .253/.324/.310/.634, 312 PA's

7th: .257/.350/.343/.693, 41 PA's

8th: .280/.321/.320/.641, 56 PA's

[Sammy Sofa]

Problem is, Theriot was doing just fine at the 2 spot. Last year, his decline came when they moved him down toward the bottom.

 

That's not why he fell off.

Edited July 2, 2008 by Sammy Sofa

[inari]

Problem is, Theriot was doing just fine at the 2 spot. Last year, his decline came when they moved him down toward the bottom.

 

Nope.

 

2007 Theriot

 

1st: .300/.342/.420/.762, 161 PA's

2nd: .253/.324/.310/.634, 312 PA's

7th: .257/.350/.343/.693, 41 PA's

8th: .280/.321/.320/.641, 56 PA's

 

You mods just can't let LLF have his fun can you? You have to correct his made up crap with reality. So mean.

[laurens]

Problem is, Theriot was doing just fine at the 2 spot. Last year, his decline came when they moved him down toward the bottom.

 

Nope.

 

2007 Theriot

 

1st: .300/.342/.420/.762, 161 PA's

2nd: .253/.324/.310/.634, 312 PA's

7th: .257/.350/.343/.693, 41 PA's

8th: .280/.321/.320/.641, 56 PA's

 

You mods just can't let LLF have his fun can you? You have to correct his made up crap with reality. So mean.

 

He's NSBB's Dusty

[Little Slide Rooter]

I guess I should look a stats more. He was pretty brutal at the bottom of the order though, and leadoff seems to be where he did OK for himself, although that didnt quite work out earlier this season.

[inari]

I guess I should look a stats more. He was pretty brutal at the bottom of the order though, and leadoff seems to be where he did OK for himself, although that didnt quite work out earlier this season.

 

He was pretty brutal everywhere, especially 2nd, where he batted most of the season.

 

Also, I love the lineup. I'd switch Edmonds and Soto but otherwise it's finally perfect.

[jersey cubs fan]

I guess I should look a stats more. He was pretty brutal at the bottom of the order though, and leadoff seems to be where he did OK for himself, although that didnt quite work out earlier this season.

 

He was pretty brutal everywhere, especially 2nd, where he batted most of the season.

 

Also, I love the lineup. I'd switch Edmonds and Soto but otherwise it's finally perfect.

 

Careful.

[woodchip2153]

I know Lou won't do it, but what about batting Theriot 9th?

 

I know that generally batting the pitcher 8th increases your run expectancy, but with Derosa and Soto in the 6 and 7 spot with fairly high OBPs I don't know if it would be a good idea.

[Schwarber Fan]

I guess I should look a stats more. He was pretty brutal at the bottom of the order though, and leadoff seems to be where he did OK for himself, although that didnt quite work out earlier this season.

 

He was pretty brutal everywhere, especially 2nd, where he batted most of the season.

 

Also, I love the lineup. I'd switch Edmonds and Soto but otherwise it's finally perfect.

 

Careful.

 

I think he means perfect as in everyone being healthy and in the spot they should be in, and I have to agree.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Step 1: Keep everyone healthy.

Step 2: Add starting pitcher.

Step 3: Win it all.

[BigbadB]

I'm perfectly fine with Soto, DeRosa and Theriot batting 6-8. Add in a pinch hitter for an at bat or two late in games, and Soriano will have lots of guys to drive in at the top of the order. Plus, Theriot can run like crazy all he wants in the 8 hole.

[javy knows my name]

I'm perfectly fine with Soto, DeRosa and Theriot batting 6-8. Add in a pinch hitter for an at bat or two late in games, and Soriano will have lots of guys to drive in at the top of the order. Plus, Theriot can run like crazy all he wants in the 8 hole.

Good point. Fukudome's a lot less likely to make outs on the basepaths in front of Lee and Ramirez. Get it done, Lou.

[CubColtPacer]

I'm perfectly fine with Soto, DeRosa and Theriot batting 6-8. Add in a pinch hitter for an at bat or two late in games, and Soriano will have lots of guys to drive in at the top of the order. Plus, Theriot can run like crazy all he wants in the 8 hole.

 

I think Theriot's running has been severely curtailed at this point anyway. He hasn't had an attempt since June 13th. He hasn't been caught stealing since May 24th.

 

And Theriot's stolen bases will be virtually non-existent in the 8 spot. Lou won't run him much with the pitcher up, and it doesn't really make sense to run much with Soriano up there either (Soriano swings and misses a lot, he doesn't hit many ground balls, and he hits a high percentage of extra base hits. That's like the perfect trio on why he's the worst hitter on the team to attempt a stolen base in front of).

 

Not that it's a bad thing that he isn't running as much. 4 stolen bases a month with 0 CS (as he did in June) seems about right for the frequency that he should be running.

[cubweiser03]

When you can move your .380+OBP #2 hitter to the 8th spot and have it make sense your lineup is DEEP.

My wife could fill out this lineup card and id probably be fine with it.

And why would Lou say "I sort of like the idea of a left hander in the five hole" Well good im glad you feel that way, youve had Fukudome there all year.

[Bull]

When you can move your .380+OBP #2 hitter to the 8th spot and have it make sense your lineup is DEEP.

My wife could fill out this lineup card and id probably be fine with it.

And why would Lou say "I sort of like the idea of a left hander in the five hole" Well good im glad you feel that way, youve had Fukudome there all year.

 

That's kind of the point. He finally felt comfortable moving Fukudome to the top (where he belongs) because he finally had another lefty in the middle of the order that he has confidence in.

 

Bad logic? Maybe. But that's definitely why he would say it.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'm perfectly fine with Soto, DeRosa and Theriot batting 6-8. Add in a pinch hitter for an at bat or two late in games, and Soriano will have lots of guys to drive in at the top of the order. Plus, Theriot can run like crazy all he wants in the 8 hole.

 

Managers never let a guy run from the 8 hole, cause they'd rather waste an out with a bunt from the pitcher.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm perfectly fine with Soto, DeRosa and Theriot batting 6-8. Add in a pinch hitter for an at bat or two late in games, and Soriano will have lots of guys to drive in at the top of the order. Plus, Theriot can run like crazy all he wants in the 8 hole.

 

Managers never let a guy run from the 8 hole, cause they'd rather waste an out with a bunt from the pitcher.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/aggregate?sort=stolenBases&split=116&group=8&season=2008&seasonType=2&statType=batting&type=exp1

 

They rarely run, but it's as frequently as they do from the 6 and 7 spots.

[NCCubFan]

I think Theriot's running has been severely curtailed at this point anyway. He hasn't had an attempt since June 13th. He hasn't been caught stealing since May 24th.

Scratch that. :D