Byrd/Soriano to hit 5/6

[Skyballer]

Wait, what is the "common OPS theory" of this board?

Based on what I've observed on this board it seems to be that the best line up is to simply put your best hitter in terms of OPS first and then go down the list from there. I was debating the actual validity of that claim.

 

I should note however that the idea gains alot of validity after reading Weis21's post about the your best hitter hitting at the end of the game. Like I said before I'm still not fully sure in my own mind how to construct an ideal line up.

[Sammy Sofa]

That's not the "common OPS theory" of this board at all.

 

If there's anything close to that (and even with this you'll still find plenty of disagreement) it's the general idea that it's ideal to have your best hitters in first 4-5 slots of the lineup as opposed to making room for someone like Theriot. You'll find very few people here, if any, who think you just automatically drop your best OPS guy at their top.

Edited January 23, 2010 by Sammy Sofa

[Rob]

Wait, what is the "common OPS theory" of this board?

Based on what I've observed on this board it seems to be that the best line up is to simply put your best hitter in terms of OPS first and then go down the list from there. I was debating the actual validity of that claim.

 

Where do you get that? Nobody is saying that's the absolute best lineup. It's just used as an illustrative example in showing how current lineup structure is flawed... of particular note are over reliance on speed at the top, as well as batting subpar players #2 for want of a guy who can "handle the bat" and bunt.

 

I posted this earlier in the thread.

 

I'll grant it's a little more complicated than that, obviously. There are real benefits to splitting up lefties who struggle against same side pitching. OBP should be valued a bit higher in a few spots, SLUG in others. And of course, speed does play a role in things (though ironically, it's more suited towards the bottom of your lineup where you're less likely to have guys able to slug you in from first base). But the general principle remains the same... if you want your lineup to do the most damage possible, you need to have the guys who do most of that damage coming to the plate as often as possible.

[Fred Hornkohl]

The actual numbers from '09:

 

CUBS                PA
batting 1st        766
batting 2nd        743
batting 3rd        724
batting 4th        705
batting 5th        697
batting 6th        675
batting 7th        664
batting 8th        647
batting 9th        623

All spots         6244

 

he's not arguing against the number 20, or 18 or any other number.

 

He's arguing that not all at bats are created equal.

 

I'm not arguing anything. Just providing some data.