2nd base- Brendan Harris vs Orlando Hudson for LHP

[Detroit-Tigers]

Playing in PNC (7,1) and wondering whether to start Brendan Harris (3e4) vs Orlando Hudson (1e12) vs LHP. Anyone have any thoughts?

[Mean Dean]

My math (see [url=http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/DeanTSC/127006/]my blog article[/url] for details) has Harris very slightly better, about seven runs if they were each to play a full season against lefties every day (which they obviously don't; maybe in real life, it's more like 2 or 3 runs). It's close enough that you might want to consider who better fits your batting order, L/R balance, etc. Or you simply might just want to throw Hudson out there to save your pitchers some pitch counts and because he will be better if and when a righty reliever comes in. Like I said, close enough that these sorts of considerations might swing the decision. Even if you do decide to start Harris, you should obviously still bring in Hudson as the late-inning defense replacement.

[Detroit-Tigers]

Thanks Dean, I know they are close, and usually use http://andrew-stevens.tripod.com/index/stratfield.html but wanted to hear some others opinions. Great article.