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Three spots, four players - why it shouldn't be a problem (but still is) for the Detroit Tigers
Every day, these days, regardless if the Tigers are winning or not, manager Jim Leyland's lineup is going to be a constant source of angst among Tiger fans.
It's because they have four outfielders for three positions against right-handed pitching. Three are left-handed hitting, Brennan Boesch, Andy Dirks and Quintin Berry, and one is right-handed hitting, and belongs only at DH, Delmon Young.
Fans love Berry. Many of them get upset when he doesn't play. And it's understandable, while his numbers have tailed the second half of the season, he's actually had more significant hits in that period, and been more consistent with the glove. Young is not a fan favorite. He had a well-documented off-the-field issue (although he did stand up to it), and he swings at inordinate number of bad pitches. But it is not giving him Young due credit if his contributions are ignored. There have been times, when he has gotten hot, and carried the Tigers - late last season, in the ALDS vs the Yankees, just before the All-Star break this year). It's not like he can't hit right-handers. When he is hot, he hits everybody.
Brennan Boesch, despite his maddening inconsistency, has had as many key hits for the Tigers this season as anybody not named Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder or Austin Jackson. Andy Dirks had to fight for his job on the club this spring (anybody still think Clete Thomas should make the team over him)?. He hit in the spring. He hit when the regular season started. He's hit since coming off the disabled list.
It's proverbial nice problem for Leyland to have. There are options. He can play matchups. It's not like when Jackson and Dirks were on the DL, Boesch and Young not hitting a lick - and the team went 8-13. With the recently-acquired Jeff Baker being a clear upgrade from Ryan Raburn in his role vs. left-handed pitching, the Tigers are in good shape. I would expect all five of these hitters to contribute in one way or another down the stretch, and probably in the postseason.
It give the Tigers something many other clubs don't have - good depth.
And a lot for us analyze when the lineup is posted each night.
It's because they have four outfielders for three positions against right-handed pitching. Three are left-handed hitting, Brennan Boesch, Andy Dirks and Quintin Berry, and one is right-handed hitting, and belongs only at DH, Delmon Young.
Fans love Berry. Many of them get upset when he doesn't play. And it's understandable, while his numbers have tailed the second half of the season, he's actually had more significant hits in that period, and been more consistent with the glove. Young is not a fan favorite. He had a well-documented off-the-field issue (although he did stand up to it), and he swings at inordinate number of bad pitches. But it is not giving him Young due credit if his contributions are ignored. There have been times, when he has gotten hot, and carried the Tigers - late last season, in the ALDS vs the Yankees, just before the All-Star break this year). It's not like he can't hit right-handers. When he is hot, he hits everybody.Brennan Boesch, despite his maddening inconsistency, has had as many key hits for the Tigers this season as anybody not named Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder or Austin Jackson. Andy Dirks had to fight for his job on the club this spring (anybody still think Clete Thomas should make the team over him)?. He hit in the spring. He hit when the regular season started. He's hit since coming off the disabled list.
It's proverbial nice problem for Leyland to have. There are options. He can play matchups. It's not like when Jackson and Dirks were on the DL, Boesch and Young not hitting a lick - and the team went 8-13. With the recently-acquired Jeff Baker being a clear upgrade from Ryan Raburn in his role vs. left-handed pitching, the Tigers are in good shape. I would expect all five of these hitters to contribute in one way or another down the stretch, and probably in the postseason.
It give the Tigers something many other clubs don't have - good depth.
And a lot for us analyze when the lineup is posted each night.
posted by Pat Caputo at
1:18 PM
6 Comments:
It seems to me Dirks has been the most consistent when he's not hurt but I feel like the fans overlook him. In my opinion he should play everyday and could be a real #2 behind Jackson. If Berry hit 9 that would set up a Berry, Jackson, Dirks lineup for Miggy and Prince to reap tons of RBI opportunities...
Patrick, nice article you just caught JL in his own web. JL favorite stat is OPS so why is Boesch playing? He has the lowest OPS among the players you mention. I am glad Boesch is playing only for the fact to build up his trade value this winter. I think Delmon should only get 50% of the playing time at DH because he has no trade value but is needed against lefties and the odd righty. Just enough to keep him sharp. Boesch should be playing RF against lefties and the righties that get lefties out. Boesch is worth saving as a DH especially if he zones in on his hitting zone. Berry and Dirks hit righties a lot better than lefties. So it would only make sense to play Dirks and Berry against traditional righties.
... and Raburn (on DL right now) makes five.
I would say that right now this isn't really a problem (mainly because I'm not paying them)
Picking Dirks and Berry over Boesch and Young feels right but sounds absurd.
I too remember both Boesch and Young at different times carrying the team.
But not right now - and it doesn't look like like it's in the long term forcast.
Josh Galbreath,
I like Infante (he is a dead fastball hitter hitting in front of Cabrera) second in order and Dirks or Berry ninth, but it's not a stretch if the left-handed hitters bat second. Jeff Baker can hit second against lefties. Jim Leyland has a lot of options.
Caputo
Barry,
Boesch's OPS has been higher lately. He is very streaky. So is Young. I'd ride the hot hitter. Point is, at least there are options if those hitters go cold.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
There will be times when Dirks and Berry will be better options. Depends on performance in recent weeks and pitching matchups.
Caputo
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