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C

CadaverDawg

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I have mentioned this in other threads but never got much feedback.

Does anyone else think we are completely missing out on a huge opportunity to follow Vandy with the DH situation? Some of you already know what they do, but for those that don't I will explain....

Every game, when they set their lineup card it has either the previous day or next day starting pitcher listed as the "DH". This is brilliant because it gives them flexibility to DH whoever fits the situation better when that spot in the order comes to bat for the first time.

In other words, if today we would list Graveman as the DH it could potentially be a big benefit. If you pencil in Armstrong bc they are starting a lefty, then you pretty much HAVE to bat him once or you burn him for the game without him even playing. But what if you have a big first inning and they bring in a righty before Armstrong comes up? Or what if you have guys on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs and need a big base hit? Wouldn't it be nice to be able to use Porter or Slauter or somebody like that without running the risk of burning Armstrong?

Or better yet, what if when that spot in the order comes up for the first time, we have guys on 1st and 2nd with no outs and we need a sac bunt? Wouldn't it be nice to be able to bring your best bunter off the bench and just use him to sacrifice that first time, instead of having a guy like Porter up there trying to bunt bc you penciled him in as the DH?

I just think this is something all teams should be doing because it doesn't make any sense not to.

Thoughts?
 
Lawdawg.sixpack

Lawdawg.sixpack

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I like. And I think you'll see a lot more teams go to this, when they don't have a DH who (1) plays consistently vs RHP or LHP or (2) bats early in the lineup.

In other words, I think it would be great for us (unless Detz DHs, obviously). Doesn't cost you anything, and allows for more flexibility.
 
D

drt7891

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I really only think it's valuable if you have a DH that hits in the 6-9 spots. Detz has been in the 2 hole (he is our most damaging DH), but even then, I think it's a wasted activity unless you think the opposing pitcher might be pulled before your DH reaches the plate. It also helps if you have a left and right handed DH who can really do damage. We don't have that.

So, to answer your question, I don't think it's that valuable for us to do that at this point. To me, I see it as a wild card spot if you think a starting pitcher might not make it out of the first, it gives you a chance to take advantage of a matchup if you have DH's that match up well, but with us, I just don't think it's going to give us much, if any of an advantage at this point.
 
C

CadaverDawg

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Lawdawg said:
I like. And I think you'll see a lot more teams go to this, when they don't have a DH who (1) plays consistently vs RHP or LHP or (2) bats early in the lineup.

In other words, I think it would be great for us (unless Detz DHs, obviously). Doesn't cost you anything, and allows for more flexibility.
Click to expand...

Exactly. When Detz is DHing, of course we won't need to do it....but when we are doing something like DHing Armstrong in the 9 hole, it is really dumb not to.
 
C

CadaverDawg

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drt7891 said:
I really only think it's valuable if you have a DH that hits in the 6-9 spots. Detz has been in the 2 hole (he is our most damaging DH), but even then, I think it's a wasted activity unless you think the opposing pitcher might be pulled before your DH reaches the plate. It also helps if you have a left and right handed DH who can really do damage. We don't have that.

So, to answer your question, I don't think it's that valuable for us to do that at this point. To me, I see it as a wild card spot if you think a starting pitcher might not make it out of the first, it gives you a chance to take advantage of a matchup if you have DH's that match up well, but with us, I just don't think it's going to give us much, if any of an advantage at this point.
Click to expand...

We DH'ed Armstrong in the 9 hole yesterday...how is that not "valuable" for us right now? What if they change pitchers before he comes up? What if we need a big 2 out RBI? Would you rather have Armstrong up there or...well ANYBODY else? I think it is totally beneficial for us unless Detz is DHing.
 
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Will James

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CadaverDawg said:
We DH'ed Armstrong in the 9 hole yesterday...how is that not "valuable" for us right now? What if they change pitchers before he comes up? What if we need a big 2 out RBI? Would you rather have Armstrong up there or...well ANYBODY else? I think it is totally beneficial for us unless Detz is DHing.
Click to expand...

Exactly
 
D

drt7891

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Who will be opposite him? Porter? Frost? Why not start Frost at third and DH Detz, if that's the case? That's the only lefty I can think of that we could tandem with him. What kind of benefit is that if neither of them are much better than the other? Porter hasn't DH'ed an entire game since March or April.

If we had a Lefty who could dominate RH pitching (Porter hasn't dominated much) or a righty who could dominate left handed pitching (Armstrong hasn't either... Fullerton, maybe? If fullerton is better than Armstrong, why isn't he DH'ing?), then you have a valid point. Right now, it's only an academic exercise.

I just don't think we can gain any advantage doing that right now... You asked for my thoughts, those are my thoughts.
 
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C

CadaverDawg

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I'd rather have Norris up there in a big RBI spot than Armstrong. If we're not bunting, Armstrong is useless. Nothing personal, he just can't hit
 
D

drt7891

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I understand the point... but Norris over Armstrong? Norris hasn't even made contact with the ball in months, and he's had chances. Armstrong has had some decent hits.
 
P

patdog

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First time I've noticed it. I think that would be a great idea. Probably at least 80% of the time, you'd wind up DHing the starter anyway. But if you're platooning DHs and batting them down in the order, why not? Could come in handy if the other team changes pitchers.
 
C

CadaverDawg

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drt7891 said:
I understand the point... but Norris over Armstrong? Norris hasn't even made contact with the ball in months, and he's had chances. Armstrong has had some decent hits.
Click to expand...

Again, that's not the issue....the fact that you have options is my point. And again, if there is a pitching change you either have Armstrong against a RHP, or you hit for him and he's burned. So even when it isn't used...there is no harm in it and you have options. But by naming a DH, there are no options without burning a guy like Armstrong, who could be a good pinch runner late in the game.
 
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Todd4State

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I would be fine with it

I think it's a good idea, but I also think a lot of our fans would ***** about it- and that would be the biggest downside.

I always thought Vanderbilt doing it was pretty creative on their part.
 
M

maroonmania

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Feb 23, 2008
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We are NOW in the exact situation where Vandy's practice would help us...

game is going into a rain delay. By the time things get started back who knows if Silverstein will still be the VA pitcher or not? Regardless though Armstrong is penciled in the lineup so if we change him out he's done for the night.
 
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