Opening day lineup

by boilerdan on Mar 30, 2006 7:58 AM PST

From today's Chronicle:

"Twice in the past three days -- both times Thomas has played -- Macha has used what looks like a good bet for Opening Night (Swisher and Payton in, Johnson out), though he would not confirm that."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2006/03/29/SPGTRHVPTQ1.DTL

This makes no sense to me. If this is Macha's approach it's going to be a frustrating season. It's a rote L-R move that isn't supported by past performance. Last season's OPS versus lefties:

Johnson .799
Payton .738
Swisher .635

I could buy an argument for starting Swisher over Payton to give a young guy a chance to demonstrate that he's improved his approach from the right side. But it would be absurd to sit Johnson just because he's left-handed. He has a chance to be a 25 HR/100 RBI guy with a nice OBP, but they seem intent on not handing him an everyday job.

If they really want the best lineup against a lefty, they should go with Kielty, Kotsay, and Bradley in the OF, Johnson at 1B and Thomas as DH. But I'm OK with either Swisher or Payton in LF - just don't sit Johnson!

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Opening Day Lineup

Randy Johnson is pitching, so sitting DJ makes some sense. The Unit is awfully tough on young left-handers.

Mark Ellis - 2B
Mark Kotsay - CF
Bobby Crosby - SS
Eric Chavez - 3B
Frank Thomas - DH
Milton Bradley - RF
Jay Payton - LF
Nick Swisher - 1B
Jason Kendall - C

DJ will get the majority of 1B at bats.

June 19th - June 21st, 2006 ** Oakland Athletics @ Colorado Rockies ** Lets Go Oak-Land!

by Colorado Fan on Mar 30, 2006 8:37 AM PST reply actions

Wotta Lineup!

Just looking at that lineup makes me feel good all over---and this is without Johnson, who I really like. If this bunch of guys can approach their potential, we will have an incredible season. A caveat---I am still unconvinced about Swisher. Beane likes him, but I don't. Has a big swing, tends to overswing. Am I wrong in this? Ok, Swish---convince me.

"Greatness is achieved one day at a time"---Huston Street

by Buck18 on Mar 30, 2006 9:28 AM PST up reply actions

actually

I'd switch Bradley and Kotsay. Bradley is a better hitter and gets on base more. He's also a switch hitter so bat side is not a problem. He'll give more opportunities for Crosby and Chavez to do some damage. Kotsay is more of a free swinger and should be lower in the order, he's also a good "clutch", "professional" hitter who is a good rbi man and will do the small ball things.

I think my head is going to explode from all those cliches i just used.

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by ohad on Mar 30, 2006 10:49 AM PST up reply actions

I had the exact same thought

I would switch MB and Kotsay for the reasons you mentioned....
in a non cliche way of course.

Kendall Haiku by FormerHuntsvilleStar, " Ball in hand, a leap,--- a veteran catcher blocks--- and secures a win"

by Athletics fan and runner on Mar 30, 2006 11:05 AM PST up reply actions

Dont sit Johnson?

Cmon..it's Randy Johnson....Gotta sit DJ for Openign Day.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Mar 30, 2006 9:29 AM PST reply actions

Put DJ behind the dish

OK maybe not. When Billy said advanced scouting 2 weeks before a series he meant looking at AN for some good lookin lineups right?

"If you throw at someone's head, it's very dangerous, because in the head is the brain." -- Pudge Rodriguez

by niallmack on Mar 30, 2006 9:45 AM PST reply actions

Do you think they would put in Kielty

to hit against Big Unit?

Jim Essian: The only Oakland Athletic to hit an Inside the Park Grand Slam.

by OaktownRajah on Mar 30, 2006 11:00 AM PST reply actions

Yes, Kielty has to play vs lefties.

Otherwise there's no point to having him on the team. I'd sit Kotsay against the Unit, but make sure Kotsay and Johnson get in later in the week against Moyer and Washburn. Take turns sitting Swisher, Bradley, Kotsay, Thomas and Johnson vs lefties:

2B Ellis
RF Bradley
SS Crosby
3B Chavez
DH Thomas
LF Kielty
CF Payton
C Kendall
1B Swisher

by WaddellCanseco on Mar 30, 2006 3:52 PM PST up reply actions