Leading Off

[Edgy MD]

Brandon Nimmo reached base his first four times after returning from three months on the shelf. He also made crucial hidden contributions to the win by extending his first two at-bats to help put a hot pitcher on the ropes.



I move that, if he continues to show this sort of sharpness the next day or two, he ought to return to the leadoff slot he left when he got hurt. McNeil has done good work there, but he's a free swinger that will have trouble matching Nimmo's OBP skillz without hitting .350.



Get a taste of this, especially against righties.

2. Nimmo, cf


4. Davis, lf


6. McNeil, 2b


8. Alonso, 1b


10. Conforto, rf


12. Ramos, c


14. Frazier, 3b


16. Rosario, ss


18. Some Tough Bastard, p

If Nimmo's demonstrably ready, that could be a devastating top of the lineup, hopefully put McNeil in a better position to show what he's got, and leave at the back end a 6-7-8 capable of picking up big two-out hits. Nimmo could be the key. THE KEY!



Panik can sub for Frazier on occasion with McNeil floating over to third. Davis will continue to be the softest spot on defense, but an Lagares coming in to center and moving Nimmo to left could be pretty strong. Canó can be the lefty threat off the bench that they've rarely had all year, and if he shows he's sharp, start against the toughest righties with McNeil floating out to left.



It could all happen. And it could happen to you!!

[Ceetar]

yeah, if Nimmo's healthy and up to speed, he needs to be up top somewhere. But I think he has more power than McNeil though, I'd probably slide him second.



I put Panik nowhere near anything, ever. Especially with the roster crunch impending.



It's a shame McNeil isn't in position to fake it at SS, because they could use every spot on the field to rotate guys through without really having to use a bench guy.



No one really cares about Ramos' hit streak, but given that there's probably going to be a good hitter on the bench every day, you don't really need to pinch hit him.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Yes. Nimmo before McNeli. I don't think this is even debatable, especially if Nimmo is back to form. You always want the walks before the hits. I mean, would you rather a single followed by a walk which'll always give you first and second, or a walk followed by a single, which'll get you, once in a while, first and third?

[Edgy MD]

Unfortunately, it's debatable because managers are loathe to rock the boat if they don't gotta. And it often takes a piano falling on their heads to convince them that they've gotta.

[Vic Sage]

when Cano and Lowrie come up:



vs RHP:

Nimmo*, cf

McNeil*, 3b

Alonso, 1b

Conforto*, rf

Davis, lf

Ramos, c

Cano*, 2b

Rosario, ss

pitcher



vs LHP:

Lowrie#, 2b

Davis, lf

Alonso, 1b

Ramos, c

McNeil*, rf

Frazier, 3b

Conforto*, cf

Rosario, ss

pitcher



bench

Nimmo*/Lowrie#

Cano*/Frazier

Lagares

Rivera

Edited September 3, 2019 by Guest

[Lefty Specialist]

I think you need to bat Cano third all the time, against righties and lefties. Dad and I are paying a lot for him.



Sincerely,

Jeff

[Vic Sage]

Jeffy, sit down and play with your blocks!



If Cano shows he can still hit, hitting 3rd is a possibility. But at this point in his career, nothing should be guaranteed.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Vic Sage wrote: Jeffy, sit down and play with your blocks! If Cano shows he can still hit, hitting 3rd is a possibility. But at this point in his career, nothing should be guaranteed.

Jeez, Vic -- I'd bat you third if you could hit like a three slot hitter.

[Vic Sage]

who says i can't? besides reality?

[Edgy MD]

I read this bottom to top, and thought Vic was addressing Jeff McNeil, which seemed at least a little ungrateful.