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.

6 months ago Ivy Walls 18 comments 0 recs |

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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 on May 3, 2009 5:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

I agree

I’d really like that lineup.

by Allie on May 3, 2009 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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 0 recs

+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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 dat cubfan daver on May 4, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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 on May 4, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs