Clutch Question: How important is it?

[ANDYCOCHRANE]

Can someone please tell me whether having a positive clutch player at #5 is important? I have always tried to have a + clutch player there but then have seen more successful teams, such as " The Secret Formula" win with Shawn Green at #5 and he has negative clutch.

Obviously #5 is the first place clutch is going to come into play with 2 on and 2 out but possibly only in the 1st inning and if the leadoff man starts another inning. Therefore, surely it is better to have say, a 23 hit, 40 OB bad 47 TB chance player with negative clutch at #5 than a 21 hit, 35 OB and 43 TB player there? Or am I wrong?


Please help me understand this area a little better. Thanks

[worrierking]

You are correct that the #5 hole is the best place for a positive clutch guy, but as a whole, I think clutch is over-emphasized. It is more important in a pitcher's park where more of the runs are scored from singles than in a home run park where HRs dwarf singles in importance.

[ANDYCOCHRANE]

So on balance, unless in Petco or Cleveland or Fenway etc, it is better to worry less about clutch? I usually play in Neutral or hitters parks so I may just put the better hitter in 5th if the choice is an otherwise less good hitter with + clutch.

[worrierking]

generally yes, but you can always switch your lineup for the pitchers parks.

[goredsox33]

how do you determine a player's "clutch" rating??

[JdEarly]

If you look at a hitter's card, most of them have dollar signs next to certain outcomes. If the dollar sign is next to a hit, it's negative. If the dollar sign is next to an out, it's positive. This is because with a runner in scoring position and two out, the dollar sign comes into effect, and makes the usual outcome the opposite of what it would be normally. If the dollar sign in next to a hit in this scenario, it becomes a line out, I believe. If the sign is next to an out, it become a single where the runner(s) move up two bases.

Did I explain that correctly?

[goredsox33]

yes i knew what those meant .. just never figured out how you determined a rating... basically you just find the difference ....
thakn you

[JAYDINGESS1]

In my humble opinion, clutch is very important.

Look at J Burke, J Guillen, R Gload, etc. Always outperforming their cards because of clutch. There was a thread on the old boards that showed the exact results from a clutch rating but I do remember that you really want + clutch in the 5, 6 & 7 holes. Those guys with + clutch on a 7, guys I try to grab quick. Remember, clutch comes into play with a runner/runners in scoring position.

Just my 2 bits.

Jay

[ANDYCOCHRANE]

I agree with you over J.Guillen. He is doing great for me so far and I naturally put him in #5. However, on a previous team I had Hunter as a + clutch guy and put him 5th for a while when his numbers really warrant a #7 spot.

I guess what I mean is, if you only have one guy with + clutch should you put him at #5 if his numbers do not warrant #5 on the team? Should that place not go to a hitter with a better card?