Lineup Help For Playoffs

[Chokin' O]

My first team of 2006 went 86-76 to win the division. All of the other three playoff teams finished 91-71, so I am the underdog heading into the first round. I have experimented with several lineups throughout the season, and for the most part my team has overachieved offensively (expect Reed Johnson... ugh!), but it's obviously important to figure out the right ones heading into the playoffs. Any ideas?

[url]http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/2006/team/team_other.html?user_id=456[/url]

[visick]

Not my specialty but here goes...


vs. RH's:
Jeter (SS)
Ellis (2B) (Too many GBA's but there is nothing else)
Helton (1B)
Branyan (3B?)
IRod (C) (- Clutch, but breaks up the lefty batters)
Catalanotto (DH?)
R. Johnson (RF) (breaks up the lefties again)
Kotsay (CF)
Anderson (LF)

[Chokin' O]

Thanks. Right now I have...

Jeter
Ellis
Helton
Branyan
Kotsay (+ clutch, .287 w/18 HRs for me)
Rodriguez (breaks up lefties)
Anderson (.294 w/17 HRs)
Johnson (.200 :evil: )
Catalanotto (OBP at bottom of lineup)

Against lefties is where it gets tough, but I don't face any tonight, so that's OK for now.

[JPGator]

You got a better reply while I was composing this, but here are some thoughts (although I’m not sure now’s the time to be doing anything drastic).

Vs. R) Jeter, Ellis, Helton, Branyan, Cat, Kotsay, Anderson, Pudge, Johnson

I think you’ve had Pudge batting 4th a lot vs. rhp, but he probably should bat no higher than 7th or 8th against righties. Problem with the lineup above is that it puts too many lefties in a row so it perhaps Pudge has to be higher. I still wouldn’t have him hitting 4th. If it weren’t the playoffs, you could try Cat second behind either Jeter or Ellis, but it’s probably too late to try that out now.

Vs. L) You must have had a lot of tough luck with Jeter and Ellis vs. lhp because they should be near the top of your splits vs. lefties, but they’re not. I’d still go:

Jeter, Kotsay, Ellis, Anderson, Bell, Helton, Pudge, Cat, Johnson

There are some clutch problems at 5 thru 7, but I’m not sure what would be better. You could drop Kotsay down for his clutch, but he seems like he would do more good higher up.

Good luck tonight.

[Chokin' O]

Thanks man. Actually, Pudge has only batted 4th against righties when there have been injuries. You were probably looking at the boxscores near the end of the season when Branyan was injured. I'll think over your lefty suggestions, but I'm in no hurry because both starters I'll be facing tonight are righties.

[visick]

vs. LH's I'd go:

Ellis
Kotsay
Bell
Anderson
Jeter
Cat
IRod
Helton
Johnson

Bell has 53.1 OB chances and 59.6 TB chances vs. LH's, so he "should" be your #3 hitter. He could also lead-off.

Jeter has 42.2 OB chances and 45 TB chances vs. LH's so I would bat him lower vs. lefties.

Kotsay has nice + clutch, and he could go in the 5 hole vs. lefties and 7 hole vs. RH's but you really could use him batting 2nd vs. lefties.

[Chokin' O]

I went 1-1 last night, winning Game One 4-1 and losing Game Two 5-4. Branyan was injured and will miss the next game (I'm facing a righty). Should I start Bell or Punto?

[rgimbel]

that is an easy one even i can answer bell is an automatic out vs righties dont start him. on my team hudson went down over the weekend for all 6 games plus the two before. hal in his infinite wisdom played betemit at 2nd a horrible 2nd baseman and bell at 3rd vs righties instead of leaving betiemit at 3rd and playing blum at 2nd. needless to say bell went 0-27 dont play him vs righties.

[Chokin' O]

All right, these are my lineups for tonight...

VS. L

Jeter
Ellis
Bell
Anderson
Kotsay
Rodriguez
Helton
Johnson
Catalanotto

VS. R

Jeter
Ellis
Helton
Rodriguez
Kotsay
Catalanotto
Anderson
Johnson
Punto

I might move Pudge up to cleanup against lefties and down against righties, but who to plug the holes?

[FRANKMANSUETO]

Jeter is NOT a lead-off guy vs. LH's.

I'd use Ellis OR Bell.