change the lineup

[stone19uk]

My lineup, I know it's been done a mill times. Anyway.

CF Patt
SS Kepp
2B Phillips
RF JR.
LF Dunn
1B Votto
3B EE
C Bako

I like CPatt at the top with his speed and pop. I think BP should be in the 3 hole because of his speed and power. Jr. is a clean up hitter at best. Jr. can no longer run and is a HR threat more then anything at this point in his career. Dunn is a HR threat and will turn things around at some point this season. I really like the way Votto swings the bat, he hits the ball hard and has the ability to hit for .avg and power. EE has to be moved from the 6th spot in the lineup. EE has killed this teams ability to score runs. EE is not the only one who hasn't performed up to his capability thus far in the season. But he's had more opportunities then anyone to come up with a hit with the bases loaded and has failed to do so. Votto move to the 6th spot. Then we have Bako, this guy have proven to be our starting C with his ability to call a game and he's hit as well.

I've got the LH bats bunched together but I think this lineup has a better chance to score runs as for now. Jr. is no longer a 3 hole hitter and Votto will swing the bat better then EE in the 6 hole, IMO. The thing that this team needs is a RH bat off the bench that can produce when called upon. We simply don't have it with the players we have on the bench right now. Cabrera or A Phillips could be the guy but we have to move some guys in order to get those two up.

When Gonzo and Ross comes back we have got to make some moves. Hatty, Castro, and Coffey are my top candidates to be moved. We have guys in AAA that can give us more then these guys can at this point. I can see this team making a move that would bring in a RH bat before the ALL- Star break. Our pitching looks good right now and the pen has one or two holes that could be filled. Coffey and Weathers have been suspect somewhat. Coffey more so then Weathers but we have Bray and McBeth that has put in some time at the ML level. Bray or McBeth either one could be better then what Coffey has shown thus far. We need a RH bat more then anything IMO, someone who can perform against RHP's and LHP's. This team has got some real decisions to make in the near future. Let's hope the decisions they do make work out because this team isn't swinging the bats very good right now and it seems the guys need some kind of jump start to get going. Maybe a trade would could set this team off. Or I could be wrong but something has to be done.

[Lark11]

Two concerns, I don't like C-Pat as the leadoff hitter. Even if he continues to hit as he has done, he's a run producer, not a table setter. Also, as you mentioned, the lefties are bunched together, which isn't ideal in my book.

For me, this is the best lineup we could run out there:

1) J.Keppinger ss r
2) J.Votto/S.Hatteberg 1b l
3) A.Dunn lf l
4) B.Phillips 2b r
5) K.Griffey Jr. rf l
6) E.Encarnacion 3b r
7) C.Patterson cf l
8) Catcher

That's the way I would go, no doubt about it. I think it's got good balance and putting Keppinger at the top of the order gets him extra Plate Appearances over the course of the season. In addition, when he gets on base, he'll create a big hole between 1b and 2b for the lefthanded Hatty and Votto to utilize.

Also, Dunn needs to bat higher up. His OBP makes him a table setter and his power makes him a run producer. The #3 slot best utilizes his dual abilities.

Griffey needs to be lower in the order at this point in his career.

I doubt Patterson continues to hit the way he has, so I'm comfortable with him in the 7th spot and he'd provide a bit of protection for Edwin.

Overall, that's the way I'd have the lineup each and every day. The real question becomes what to do when A-Gon gets back.

[61ncbus]

This lineup probably wouldnt appear to popular but this is what I would like to see:

1. CF Patterson
2. LF Dunn
3. 3b Keppinger
4. 2b Phillips
5. RF Griffey JR.
6. 1b Votto
7. ss Gonzalez
8. C Bako

* I just wanna see someone that can hit consistently behind dunn, considering he walks alot. Im tired of seeing him bat 5th and strike out with men on, or walk and watch EE strike out behind him and leaving him OB. Just a thought.

[blee2525]

My lineup is essentially the same as I had it at the beginning of the season. Edwin drops, and Keppinger's obviously in there instead of Gonzalez, but it looks like this:

1)Votto - I absolutely can't live with Patterson's .304 OBP in the leadoff slot. I'd like a speedier guy here, but you can't steal first, and Votto is fast enough that he doesn't hurt you.
2)Keppinger - Exactly what I want out of a 2 hole hitter.
3)Dunn - I think my opinion here is already a part of public record.
4)Griffey - Gets on base, plenty of pop.
5)Phillips - Perfect 5 hole hitter. Can drive in the guys in front of him, and can steal a base for the guys behind him.
6)Encarnacion - I still believe.
7)Patterson - Anybody expect him to slug .667 over a full season?
8)Hold my nose and write Bako