Looking for midseason pointers...

[hechojazz]

I've got a team in the Bob, other divisional teams are another Bob and two Petcos. I'm frustrated with the team's performance, just can't seem to wake up from mediocrity. Going 4-5 in the recent spate of games played following the equipment upgrade didn't help (particularly the sweep against me in the final series I didn't anticipate last night). I'm now 39-42, in third place in my division (6 games back). I've considered trying to formulate some trade proposals, but I'm just not sure where I can most try to improve things...any ideas?

ADDERLEY CANNONBALLS
http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/2005/team/team_other.html?user_id=55282

My lineups are as follows (platoons at 3B and DH):

vs.LHP
ALFONZO.......R3L
CORA............L1R
LOPEZ...........R1L
GUILLEN........RE
WILSON.........R2R
FINLEY...........L1R
WILKERSON...L1L
PHELPS..........R7L
MATSUI..........L3R

VS.RHP
MATSUI...........L3R
FINLEY............L1R
LOPEZ.............R1L
GUILLEN..........RE
UTLEY..............L5R
WILSON...........R2R
WILKERSON.....L1L
CORA..............L1R
BURROUGHS....L2R

:?

[visick]

Your lineups REALLY need help hecho. If I have more time later on, I'll see what I can come up with.

You are truly lacking a lead-off hitter BOTH ways. Also there really isn't a #2 hitter as well.

Have you looked at your splits? (L/R)

You've been facing more lefty bats than righty bats AND their hitting .280 against you. You might need to make a move to get either another LH that's tougher on lefties OR a reverse RH that is tough vs. lefty bats.

[JAYDINGESS1]

Wilkerson not a 7 hitter, he should be a 2 both ways.

Matsui not a leadoff. 3 vs rhp.

Guillen should be 5-7 both ways to take advantage of clutch. Alphonso also. Players that have +clutch will overperform if given the chance.

Viz will help more.

[hechojazz]

I thought I had #2 in the lineup sewed up when I got Wilkerson in the draft, but he has played just terribly for me so far. 84 games into the season, and Wilkerson's batting a robust .238 against RHP, .214 against LHP! It seems that much of his OBP results from walks as well. I've had him perform great for me on other teams, but he's asleep at the switch this time.

Both Guillen and Utley are +1 clutch vs. RHP, so I thought it would be okay to bat Guillen #4 since I could bat Utley #5. But I've moved Wilson up to #2, so now my +clutch guys are in the #5 and #6 slots...maybe things will improve?

I realize that not having a decent "classic" leadoff guy is a problem, but I've seen other teams thrive despite such a problem. And despite my team's various shortcomings, only four other teams in the league have scored more runs than me. I'm just trying to reconfigure my lineups in order to perhaps better capitalize on my crew of plodding hitters.

Here's my revised lineups, complete with some relevant stats:

vs.LHP...........BAL....AVG...OBP...SLG
ALFONZO.......R3L.....260...360....385
CORA............L1R.....274...336....496
LOPEZ...........R1L.....321....395....547
FINLEY...........L1R.....238....316...533
GUILLEN........RE.......310....357...474
WILSON.........R2R.....255....279...500
WILKERSON...L1L......214....323...527
PHELPS..........R7L.....too new to have relevant stats
MATSUI..........L3R.....191...252....327

VS.RHP...........BAL....AVG...OBP...SLG
FINLEY............L1R.....301...338....500
WILSON...........R2R....325...333....442
LOPEZ.............R1L.....321...362...507
MATSUI...........L3R.....275...395...449
GUILLEN..........RE.......303...392...581
UTLEY..............L5R.....279...324...629
WILKERSON.....L1L......238...368...471
CORA..............L1R......267...344....396
BURROUGHS....L2R......280...325....342

[the splinter]

Tell the truth...your team looks pretty good.

Your line up is producing very well. You have no true leadoff hitter so your lineup will have to be "unconventional". No biggie. It does force your team to play station to station as you have no team speed. Matsui is really the only player under performing to date and I bet he will produce before its over. Wilk is on pace for 40 homers and 100 walks...maybe the 3 hole for him? You have 4 players on pace for 35+/90+ seasons. Nice depth in the lineup. Your platoons are working to perfection. You are on pace for 250 homers and well over 800 runs. Your defense is solid as well. Less than 50 E's in half a season. All good.

Maybe.... its pitching? Well, on paper your staff ain't too bad. Starters can eat innings with a stud in Sheets although their combined ERA is a bit high. While Hernandez has a winning record I'd bet he's getting hit hard at home. Good depth in the pen. I wonder why Lidge has only half(10) of your saves? The other 11 are spread out over 4 guys who have also lost a combined 7 games while Lidge has a winning record. I'd check those settings. Benson and Davis combined record is the only other real negative to your pitching.

Yet you are 2 games under .500 and six games behind.

Maybe .....the issue is not whats wrong with your team but whats right about your divsion opponents. Who are the division studs? Are they the players that are beating you? How can you counter that situation?

Maybe..... through the first half you just got a couple of bad breaks and it meant 2-3 games. Hal could always have snatched 1 or 2 as well. This team looks to me as though it could be a 45/46 game winner at this point(not bad). Unless you have some serious mismatches personel wise in the divison I would ride it out for at least another 25-30 games before making big moves.

[LANCEBOUSLEY]

hmmm..

if this were my squad i'd try...

vs lhp

alfonzo
wilkerson
lopez
guillen
phelps
matsui
finley
wilson
cora

vs rhp

wilkerson
cora
matsui
lopez
wilson?
guillen
utley
finley
burroughs

[LANCEBOUSLEY]

and lidge needs to setup and close both ways.

[LANCEBOUSLEY]

looks to me like you need a stronger lefty to come in to help out...

embree, choate, horgan, marte come to mind...

seems like you need someone to turn the platoons around a bit.... with three hard right starters.....

just my thoughts..... but hey i'm all of .500 in 05!

[visick]

I'd listen to akindian.

He's pre-med. I mean, he's a lineup ace.

I'd go with Phelps hitting clean-up vs. LH's, and Guillen in the 5 hole. I'd even go with Jose in the 5 hole vs. RH's. (Nice + clutch)

[hechojazz]

Thanks so much for the observations. Lidge is marked to setup and close both ways, but often isn't around to finish the game...I've not marked any of the "avoid using before _ inning" items on Lidge's card though. What would be the ideal marking for him, so as to get maximim use out of him AND have him around for the save situations? I've also set closer usage to regular.

I've had good luck with Benson in hitters parks before (Wrigley), but he sure is getting hit this time around. My staff in general is getting hit more than I'd expected. I just keep hoping things'll turn around.