IGT #40, Mets at Dodgers, 5/20/09

[Gwreck]

Reyes SS
Castillo 2B
Beltran CF
Wright 3B
Murphy 1B
Church RF
Castro C
Pagan LF
Hernandez P

Juan Pierre LF
Rafael Furcal SS
Orlando Hudson 2B
Andre Ethier RF
Russell Martin C
James Loney 1B
Xavier Paul CF
Casey Blake 3B
Jeff Weaver P

[Gwreck]

I like this lineup a lot.

Weaver's last start against the Mets.

[Ceetar]

Gwreck wrote: I like this lineup a lot.

I do too. No Sheffield. +
Murphy +
Castillo at 2 where he belongs.

Although, doesn't conventional wisdom suggest you don't put the Lefties, Church and Murphy, back to back? Unless Manuel's just figuring he'll pinch hit Sheffield for Church. You cannot pinch hit for Murphy now (good thing) because he has to have all 9 innings at 1B in my opinion. No late inning replacements that don't know what they're doing.

[Gwreck]

Tatis is the logical replacement for Murphy if it's close in the late innings, and he's also the logical pinch hitting replacement if a lefty-righty swap is needed.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Sheffield, .813 OPS
Murphy .753 OPS

So now we think we're doing better by playing guys who are worse hitters and fielders? I don't get the hate for Sheffield.

[Ceetar]

Gwreck wrote: Tatis is the logical replacement for Murphy if it's close in the late innings, and he's also the logical pinch hitting replacement if a lefty-righty swap is needed.

Except he sucks on defense. And he's slumping. The point is to get a viable 1B, and that means sticking with Murphy.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Tatis is a good defensive first baseman, probably the best on the team. Are you getting your information from a Ouija board?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Yeah, Sheffield may be a dick but I can't see complaining about his addition to this team. He provides flexibility and a legit threat for the longball or walk we haven't had on the bench since Tony Clark. And for better or worse we need him right now.

(I think Pagan is playing because Sheff has been feeling ill)

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Gwreck wrote: I like this lineup a lot. Weaver's last start against the Mets.

Epic thread.

[Ceetar]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Yeah, Sheffield may be a dick but I can't see complaining about his addition to this team. He provides flexibility and a legit threat for the longball or walk we haven't had on the bench since Tony Clark. And for better or worse we need him right now. (I think Pagan is playing because Sheff has been feeling ill)

Sheffield doesn't have any power threat. He's had nearly 100 AB and has 2. What's that equate to over a full season? 12? Even if you say he was rusty to begin with (he wasn't) still less than 20. I think some of it's still the perception that he can hit one. And that's where the extra OBP comes from. I think he's actually provided more inflexibility. Church ended up sitting for days at times, even when hot. Tatis didn't have anywhere to play, so Castillo was sat for him when he was hot. I feel like Murphy was coming around defensively until he was benched regularly for Sheff. Repetition is how you learn, and he wasn't getting that regularity. I hope I'm wrong, but Sheffield hasn't hit real well in years. He seems like a soft single, high OBP guy and I just don't think that provides a lot of value.

The 'presence' argument is bunk too. Beltran and Wright provide plenty of that in this lineup.

[G-Fafif]

There should probably be a ballpark adjustment for any Met's power numbers in 2009. Sheff's hit a couple that would have gone out of Shea. That said, "bunk" is a good word and one not used nearly enough these days, dadgum it.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Yeah, you don't want guys on base. High OPS, who needs that? Besides, 1/3 of the difference is in Sheffield's higher slugging percentage. Murphy has 40 more AB and the same number of doubles and triples, and one more HR than Sheffield.

The way it works is, you look at the facts then make a conclusion. The facts are that Sheffield is a better hitter, today, than Murphy, whether he's 40 or not.

[Gwreck]

I'm all for finding Murphy a spot in the lineup generally but I think we can hold off on declaring him a "viable" first baseman for the time being.

As for Sheffield, he has the same number of XBHs as Murphy or Church in 40 or 50 fewer at-bats, so I'm unclear on what evidence there is to support the "soft-singles" hitter thing.

"Presence" may be one of those terms like "clutch" that is a total myth but the OBP speaks for itself. He may not be fleet of foot out there but there also weren't very many glaring errors either.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Awrite, the lineup is in and none of us are going to change it from our couches. Let's inspire young Daniel with some Great Big Sea

[metirish]

Jeez I think Sheffield should start every night these days . That's pretty cool Swanie

[Fman99]

The great thing about baseball is that you get a fresh slate every game. Put yesterday in the rearview mirror and start over, 0-0. Brand new game.

[metirish]

Fman99 wrote: The great thing about baseball is that you get a fresh slate every game. Put yesterday in the rearview mirror and start over, 0-0. Brand new game.

Are you OK?

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Either he hasn't started drinking yet or he's been at it for hours.

[Fman99]

metirish wrote: ="Fman99"]The great thing about baseball is that you get a fresh slate every game. Put yesterday in the rearview mirror and start over, 0-0. Brand new game. Are you OK?

I'm trying to sell myself the concept of eternal optimism in the face of repeated ineptitude and general suckliciousness.

Plus I poured a vodka 7.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

West coast IGTs need all the lubrication they can get.

[Fman99]

I have more confidence now knowing that the Weave cut off his awesome mullet. He looks mortal now.

[metirish]

Weaver couldn't handle NY you know....had to move as far away as possible....

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Swan Swan H wrote: West coast IGTs need all the lubrication they can get.

I bought some Pabst Blue Ribbon tonight. It is my recession beer.

[metirish]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: ="Swan Swan H"]West coast IGTs need all the lubrication they can get. I bought some Pabst Blue Ribbon tonight. It is my recession beer.

OMG , JCL is a Recessionista...

[Gwreck]

Ronnie and Gary already mixing up Weaver's teams, first attributing him as the starter in the LoDuca/Kent-Drew game (that was Derek Lowe) and then the starter for the Cardinals in NLCS Game 5.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

PBR has gone 360 on the wheel of cool.

[Fman99]

Swan Swan H wrote: PBR has gone 360 on the wheel of cool.

So it sucks?

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Yes, but now old people think it sucks.

C'mon Murph! here's a chance to jump out against this guy.

[Fman99]

Without Dave Duncan Jeff Weaver is, well, Jeff Weaver. Which is great news for Mets fans.

He said hopefully.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

metirish wrote: ="John Cougar Lunchbucket"] ="Swan Swan H"]West coast IGTs need all the lubrication they can get. I bought some Pabst Blue Ribbon tonight. It is my recession beer. OMG , JCL is a Recessionista...

JCL is poor.

I know about PBR and the coolness factor, but I think of the canned shit beers at $7 and below per 12-pack, it is probably the tastiest.