Tokyo series best lineups

[siggzBall]

So hear me out.  If both Hoerner & Shaw can't go to Tokyo what's our best chance to find wins against the Big stars of LA?  Try this for taste.  Most of us know Busch has played 2nd & 3rd quite a bit when he was with LA.  Along with another Cub whom used to be an infielder.  So instead of of fringe players replacing Shaw & Hoerner why not go to this for a 2 game set vs The Dodgers

Ian Happ -- LF

Kyle Tucker -- RF

Seiya Suzuki -- DH

Michael Busch -- 3rd 

Justin Turner -- 1st

Dansby Swanson --SS

PCA -- CF

Jon Berti -- 2nd

Amaya -- C

 

You could also move Happ to 2nd base while plugging Suzuki in LF.  Counsell has shown in the past to make players maneuver positions.  With only a 2 game set why not?

 

 

 

 

[siggzBall]

I propose this idea as I believe Busch can play a much better 3rd or 2nd than Turner additionally better than Suzuki in the outfield if you considered Happ back at 2nd base

[Brock Beauchamp]

4 minutes ago, siggzBall said:

I propose this idea as I believe Busch can play a much better 3rd or 2nd than Turner additionally better than Suzuki in the outfield if you considered Happ back at 2nd base

Welcome to NSBB!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Welcome!  

I don't think they'll go too nuts trying to play regulars in uncomfortable positions just for the Tokyo series, especially since it seems like both Shaw and Hoerner will be ready for domestic opening day at least.  That means no Busch at 2B/3B or Happ on the infield(which he hasn't done in years now).  

If Shaw is ready to go(and that seems like a possibility), then you'll see Berti fill in for Nico with minimal fuss.  If neither are ready to go, then it'll depend a bit on the matchup and who the last man on the bench is.  Since the two LHP are going in Tokyo, that puts more of a premium on 3B defense, so you would probably see Workman/Brujan taking that last spot.  But it's not impossible that Turner could get a one game look, especially if Snell starts Game 2(I haven't seen the Dodgers plans outside of Yamamoto Game 1).

[Bertz]

I don't know that I believe Busch is a better 3B than Turner, and I don't mean that as a compliment to Turner.

I think the other thing worth considering is who is on the mound.  Steele and Shota are expected to start the two games in Japan.  With lefties on the mound, you expect more righties in the lineup and more balls pulled to the LF side.  And Steele in oarticular is a heavy groundball pitcher. 

So even if you're comfortable with Michael Busch getting some runway outside of 1B, I think generally it would be would be 3B when someone like Taillon or Brown is starting, and 2B when someone like Shota or Boyd is pitching.