Now, having your number four hitter always walked isn't all that bad of a thing. Base runners are important. But when you've got your pitcher batting 8th, even with nobody out when Fielder is walked, you've got three chances to knock him in.

Odds are pretty decent that the opposing pitcher can get at least two of those three. Odds are also decent that the lone hit, if there is one, won't score fielder. What do you have now? 2 outs and the pitcher up at the plate.

The only time you'd be smart not to walk Prince is with someone on first base. Otherwise, it's a fairly safe bet that you'll get a double play, or be pitching to the pitcher with two outs, or maybe just end up having the pitcher lead off the next inning. Braun and Fielder need to be bumped up to second and third in the batting order with the pitcher batting 8th. You need the extra hitter between Fielder and the pitcher to help cut down the intentional walks.