Piniella: "I think we're going to change the combination a little bit when we do get [everybody]...

Piniella: "I think we're going to change the combination a little bit when we do get [everybody] back,"--- refusing to tip his hand. "It'll be nice to get everybody in the lineup and playing."

MLB's Carrie Muskat My speculation; It appears that Soriano is the lead off with .354 OBP (wild card), where Theriot has earned the #2 hole actually as much a lead off hitter as .371 OBP, where also Fukudome has earned his spot as the #3 hitter (.443 OBP-.988-SLG)...but when Ramirez returns I think Piniella installs him as the cleanup hitter. The question then is who follows Ramirez? Bradley or DLee...based on Piniella's desire to go righty lefty...Milton is #5 and Lee drops to #6 with the powerful Fontenot at #7 and Soto in the 8th spot.

almost 3 years ago Ivy Walls 18 comments 0 recs |

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Comments

I usually don't comment on lineup selections....

… since I don’t, in general, think it means a whole lot.

But that lineup does make sense.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on May 3, 2009 5:47 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed

Except I’d put Lee at #5 and Milton at #6.

I think a lot should depend on how they play in May.

by ak123 on May 3, 2009 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Good point

If Kosuke slows down again, I doubt he’ll remain there

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on May 3, 2009 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd go Bradley 5 and Lee six if I was going to bat them that low...

because Bradley is better at getting on base, and because it keeps the L/R/L/R/L/R in tact, which puts pressure on managers with regard to bullpen use.

by SouthernCub on May 4, 2009 8:22 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree

I’d really like that lineup.

by Allie on May 3, 2009 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions

i like that lineup as well.

"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie

by buckmulligan on May 3, 2009 6:41 PM CDT reply actions

+1 thru 9

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on May 4, 2009 8:00 AM CDT up reply actions

To me...

that’s the best possible lineup right now. Once Soto gets going, move him up. How far depends on who in front of him is struggling. But at a minimum I’d eventually flip him and Fontenot.

by kanderber on May 3, 2009 6:44 PM CDT reply actions

Can you imagine

If the guys who are slow right now can get going and if the rest keep it up. Man this could be a powerful offense. What with the unexpected power Theriot is suddenly showing and Fontenot getting daily play.

by iowacubfan69 on May 3, 2009 7:07 PM CDT reply actions

ive been wanting

DLee dropped from the 3 spot for a long time, last year was the tipping point with all the double plays, he should be hittin 6th

Go Cubs Go, Fly Eagles Fly

by ManBearPigMBP on May 3, 2009 7:37 PM CDT reply actions

When Aramis gets back, DLee hitting in the #6 spot would be ideal

If Lee finds his power groove then he will be a great #6 hitter and if not there will not be much fuss about him as he will not be hitting #3 anymore

by cubsnlinux on May 3, 2009 8:10 PM CDT reply actions

It's amazing to me that we think Fukudome hitting 3rd solves the lineup "problem"

Who would have thought – just a month ago – that anyone would have suggested such a thing? The resurgence of Dome is fantastic, especially for a team watching the guy who was supposed to bring balance to the lineup – Milton Bradley – off to a dismal start. Here’s to hoping Dome and Riot keep it up to make them hitting 2-3 realistic for the whole season, although I will not be surprised if the September lineup has Bradley hitting 3rd.

Derrek Lee is good.

by DGU on May 4, 2009 7:46 AM CDT reply actions

I hate to pour cold water on the resurgent Dome love but

he is 1 for his last 15. He’s walked and done the little things, so people haven’t noticed he’s actually slumping quite badly

"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer

by BoVandy on May 4, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions

He had a bad series vs. the Marlins - offensively.

But the fact that he drew a couple walks, stole a couple bases and played outstanding defense serves as a pretty good umbrella against your cold water.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by daver on May 4, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed.

No one expected him to hit. 375, right? He’s hitting .312 with a .445 OBA. Even that’s above expectations. I’d settle for .290/.400/.425 from him.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on May 4, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes, I'd be ecstatic with those numbers at season's end...

of course, I’d also suggest he be a #2 hitter with those numbers, but that’s neither here nor there…

by SouthernCub on May 4, 2009 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Dome is doing

quite well. I want to see him maintain it deep into the season.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on May 4, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Presumably,

if dome slows down and Bradley heats up you could swap them in the lineup or otherwise tweak it so that Bradley takes the 3 spot and you have a lineup that goes like this.
Sorianno
Theriot
Bradley
Ramirez
Dome
Lee
Fonte
Soto
Pitcher

5-8 should probably be arranged to reflect whoever is hot at the moment, but 1-4 look very solid if Bradley is hittting well

Oriole by nurture. Cub by marriage.

by wax eagle on May 4, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions