What is a "situation favorable to Pie?" How about batting him somewhere he'll see something to hit? When Johnson plays, he's got Lee and Ramirez hitting behind him. When Pie plays, he has the pitcher "protecting" him. Yeah, that's fair. I think/ hope he's hitting 8th so he'll learn to take a walk, and eventually wind up batting 2nd (not ideal but I've given up on the idea of DeRosa there). I guess it's early and we just have to wait and see. Wouldn't it be funny if the Orioles finished the season with a better record than the Cubs? Putting developing players into the pressure spots at the top of the lineup is usually not a good idea.