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Hi, this question might be pretty basic but I’d like to make sure I understand the impact of batting/pitching stances and hitter vs pitcher tendencies.

Does it really matter if you draft R / L or SS hitters? It seems to me so far that the only number which plays into how a hitter with perform is the 1R or 1L type numbers.

I’m playing the 2004 set right now. I have Suzuki who is a left handed batter yet he hits better vs left handed pitchers (L3). L.Gonzalez is the same way a left handed hitter that is L2 and favours lefty pitching. Almost all of my line-up is Left handed or Switch yet the team has way better ratings vs. Lefty pitching.

When drafting players either pitchers or hitters is there any point in considering the way they actually throw or hit . . . . Or should we be focusing on the R1 –R9 L1-L9 ratings.

Thanks for any input.

If your lineup is filled with a big majority of LH hitters you could always run into a LHP that is 8L for example which could shut down your lineup if the rolls tend to fall more on the pitcher's card. Or if the other team has a LH specialist in the pen, he could come in the game and pitch a while vs that lineup.

I like to have a good mixture of hitters and stagger them in my lineup when possible so that any RP specialist would only pitch to one batter before being lifted from the game. Sometimes the specialist RP doesn't even pitch. He is brought into the game and I PH and he is take out without even throwing a pitch. I love it when that happens. :D

The other factor to consider is the ballpark ratings - your L hitters will certainly be affected by certain ballparks so that should be considered as well.