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Think you're better than Yost or Sveum? Try it! Make a lineup!

So to go along with my lineup analysis post, I've calculated the run value for every brewer player with over 100 ABs for every lineup slot, as well as some platoon values for selected players. Now I can find the optimal lineup for the Brewers 2008 season.

But now I ask you - can you?

We're assuming that every player listed below can finish a full season (or in the case of Branyan, a full season as the lefty half of a platoon). I want to see how well you guys can make a lineup. You might be surprised at what the optimal lineup actually is.

RULES -

1. You must fill each position.

2. You will have some platoon options. If you use a platoon, you must post two SEPARATE lineups for vs. RHP and vs. LHP.

3. Platoons will be counted as vs. RHP 2/3 of the time, vs. LHP 1/3. This is crude but it tends to work well for platoons.

4. Each lineup must include a pitcher. The pitcher's spot is counted at 65% pitcher batting, 35% league average pinch hitter batting.

OPTIONS FOR EACH POSITION.

C: Kendall

1B: Fielder, Fielder/Branyan Platoon

2B: Durham, Hall, Weeks, Counsell, any platoon of those.

SS: Hardy, Counsell, Hall, any platoon.

3B: Hall, Counsell, Hall/Branyan, Hall/Counsell, Counsell/Branyan.

OF: Kapler, Hart, Cameron, Braun, any platoon.

Whoever makes the best lineup wins some pride. Sorry, I don't have anything to offer!

0 recs | Comment 17 comments

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Comments

Display:

Ok, I'll do one:

2B Weeks
LF Braun
SS Hardy
1B Fielder
3B Hall/Branyan
CF Cameron
RF Hart
P Sabathia
C Kendall

I don't specifically articulate my motives, because that wouldn't travel as well as a boo does.

by KLSnow on Dec 22, 2008 8:09 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Something like this

vRHP
2B Durham
1B Fielder
CF Cameron
LF Braun
3B Branyan
SS Hardy
RF Kapler
P
C Kendall

vLHP
2B Weeks
1B Fielder
CF Cameron
LF Braun
3B Hall
SS Hardy
RF Kapler
P
C Kendall

…ONLY if we’re just using last year’s production here. No way I would play these players like this going forward. Kapler over Hart would be stupid, but he produced better last year. I’m also disregarding defense.

Interesting idea.

Scored three times and detonated an indisputable in four visits to the batting box.

by Jordan M on Dec 22, 2008 8:54 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Fielder in the 2-hole?

I don’t see it…

Giants: World Series Champions...in 2011.

by Giants_Junkie on Dec 23, 2008 3:29 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If you go by the traditional ideas

Nothing ever gets done. If I assume that putting a contact hitter in the 2-hole is the best way to construct a lineup and never challenge the assumption, it will never change, even if there are better ways to score runs.

Our current “optimal lineup” is based on these two ideas:

1. The leadoff hitter gets on, is bunted to second by the 2 hitter, and driven in by the 3 hitter
2. The first three hitters get on and the 4 hitter hits a grand slam

If we never challenge this, it’ll be that way forever. We’d still think the Earth was flat if we did that.

Optimally, you don’t want your best hitter in the 3-hole because that spot comes up most often with no runners on and 2 out. The 2 spot should be a better hitter than most assume.

Scored three times and detonated an indisputable in four visits to the batting box.

by Jordan M on Dec 23, 2008 6:33 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Me too

3B Braun
SS Hardy
CF Cameron
1B Fielder
LF Kapler
RF Hart
2B Weeks
P Sabathia
C Kendall

that’s what I’m going with

Lordz Of Vengeance....If I'm not drunk, I'm at work.

I am also pro-Rodgers.

by Dikembe Meiztombo on Dec 22, 2008 8:57 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Braun @ leadoff?

Giants: World Series Champions...in 2011.

by Giants_Junkie on Dec 23, 2008 3:29 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ima just go crazy with this one.

SS Hardy
RF Hart
LF Braun
1B Fielder
CF Cameron
3B Hall/Branyan
C Kendall
P Sabathia
2B Weeks

How far will this one fly?

by Rendezvous on Dec 23, 2008 6:35 AM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'll try this crazy one that would never happen

vRHP
LF Braun
CF Cameron
1B Fielder
SS Hardy
3B Branyan
RF Kapler
2B Durham
P
C Kendall

vLHP
LF Braun
CF Cameron
SS Hardy
1B Fielder
RF Kapler
3B Hall
2B Weeks
P
C Kendall

The idea is to get the high OPS guys as many ABs as possible.

by kingcharlesxii on Dec 23, 2008 10:44 AM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

’08 stats, not projections, right?

vRHP
Durham 2b
Fielder 1b
Branyan 3b
Braun lf
Hart rf
Kapler cf
Counsell ss
Kendall c
Pitcher

vLHP
Weeks 2b
Hardy ss
Hall 3b
Kapler rf
Cameron cf
Braun lf
Fielder 1b
Kendall c
Pitcher

That lineup crushes left handed pitching…

Bring Back The Old Logo!

by jacob on Dec 23, 2008 11:19 AM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

can i make a correction? :)

vRHP
Durham 2b
Fielder 1b
Branyan 3b
Braun lf
Hardy ss
Kapler cf
Hart rf
Kendall c
Pitcher

vLHP
Weeks 2b
Hardy ss
Hall 3b
Kapler rf
Cameron cf
Braun lf
Fielder 1b
Kendall c
Pitcher

much better.

Bring Back The Old Logo!

by jacob on Dec 23, 2008 11:22 AM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If the Brewers were a softball team

What happens when you lead-off hitter hits a home run? Your up 1 rock.

LF Braun
1B Fielder
CF Cameron
SS Hardy
RF Hart
2B Weeks
3B Hall
P Pitcher
C Kendall

"You are only a success at the moment that you do a successful act"
-Tex Winter

by stork02 on Dec 23, 2008 3:07 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How about this one?

Based on 2008 numbers:

vs. LHP

SS Hardy
RF Kapler
CF Cameron
LF Braun
1B Fielder
3B Hall
C Kendell
P Sabathia
2B Weeks

Vs. RHP

2B Durham
SS Hardy
1B Fielder
LF Braun
3B Branyon
CF Kapler
RF Hart
C Kendell
P Sabathia

The LHP lineup seems pretty strong no matter what you do; It’s the lineup vs. RHP that poses problems.

by Idrinkyourmilkshake! on Dec 24, 2008 6:48 AM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gonna tally things up over the next couple of days

I’ll post results on Sunday.

---
Juuuust a bit outside!!
http://www.rightfieldbleachers.com

by jhmoore on Dec 26, 2008 6:38 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

vs Left
Weeks
Braun
Cameron
Hardy
Hall
Hart
Fielder
Pitcher
Kendall

vs Right
Weeks
Fielder
Cameron
Braun
Branyan
Hart
Hardy
Pitcher
Kendall

Give him an offspeed pitch down and in. He will swing and miss.

by cooper82 on Dec 26, 2008 8:55 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You all lose.

Because nobody put Counsell as the leadoff hitter vs. RHP

jihad wins the prize for best. I can post full numbers later if anybody would like to see them.

Here’s the spreadsheet for finding the optimal lineups.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pxSSR5Xmla-UOtc67_E_pfw&gid=0

---
Juuuust a bit outside!!
http://www.rightfieldbleachers.com

by jhmoore on Dec 28, 2008 3:28 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

line ups

first in free agency i think the brewers sign at 2nd base Orlando Hudson. then sign bobby abreu in put him in right field. then trade cameron and weeks for pitching.

RHP
1. Orlando Hudson
2. Corey Hart
3. Prince Fielder
4. Ryan Braun
5. Bobby Abreu
6. J.J. Hardy
7. Mike Lamb
8. Jason Kendell
9. pitcher spot

LHP
1.orlando hudson
2.Corey Hart
3.Prince Fielder
4. Ryan Braun
5. Bobby Abreu
6. J.J. Hardy
7. Bill Hall
8. Jason Kendell
9. pitcher spot

pitching rotation
1 Gallardo
2. Parra
3. Bush
4. Sanchez SF pitcher come over from weeks, cameron deal
5. Villineuea

Closer
McClung

by Big Wayne on Jan 4, 2009 11:24 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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