Batting order

Just curious, where have all the pros (or even non beginners) had success in placing their best player in the batting order? When I am looking through the leagues I see a lot of them batting first (even someone like Harper) presumably to get more AB's, a lot batting second, and a lot batting third. Which do you all think is the best way to bat someone like that?

There is a bunch of theories----obviously putting your highest On Base guy 1st gets him more AB--I even lead Votto off on some teams--even though he doesn't run that well--Harper is actually a very good lead-off especially vs LH, some would argue his HR's are wasted somewhat vs RH--I would tend to put him 2nd maybe 3rd if I have other high OB lead-offs, but every spot down the order losses 20-30 plate appearances over 162 games.

Thats insane...if I play Harper 3rd and he gets 50 less plate appearances that's 2-4 HR less and 20 less times on base...

Thats insane...if I play Harper 3rd and he gets 50 less plate appearances that's 2-4 HR less and 20 less times on base...

2-3 HR less, perhaps, but likely 10-12 less 2-run/3-run homeruns...

Another thing I don't like about Harper hitting first vs rhp is when I play in a no-dh league...With the pitcher hitting, I prefer to use a weaker bat at lead-off with great onbase and align my sluggers in the 2nd=3rd-4th spots

You can see for yourself here. I recall from a discussion long ago that batting order matters little. A matter of tenths of runs per lineup. But you know what they say... a tenth of a run here, a tenth of a run there.....

You can see for yourself here. I recall from a discussion long ago that batting order matters little. A matter of tenths of runs per lineup. But you know what they say... a tenth of a run here, a tenth of a run there.....

...and pretty soon you're talking about real scoring.

What?

What?

Coyote is referencing a quote attributed to former Illinois Sentator Everett Dirksen:

A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon, you're talking real money.