The Anatomy Of A Batting Order

September 10, 2007 | By Sean Catzin | Discuss

With only weeks to go in the Phillies season, and the team being in the hunt for one of the coveted playoff spots, every game is critical. Having so much on the line with every pitch, every out, every inning, every game, Charlie Manuel really needs to be putting the best lineup possible out there everyday. With Pat Burrell suddenly finding his stroke, and Chase Utley going down for a month, a stopgap solution of throwing Burrell in the three hole was made. However, if the Phils expect to make a serious push for October baseball, they’ll need their offense running on all cylinders every night. That would involve putting players in their proper spots in the batting order, meaning Utley hitting third again, with Burrell further down the order. It’s what’s best for the team, and their playoff chances.

Typically, when constructing a major league lineup, a manager tends to lead off with a guy that has some speed, but more importantly can get on base frequently. Your two hole hitter has to be someone who has good bat control, and maybe some speed. The idea being he’ll be able to hit the ball to the right side after your lead off man has stolen second, allowing him to go to third on his out. The speed will thus help him avoid hitting into a double play. Your number three hitter is where your team’s best hitter is put; he has the ability to hit for average, has speed, and gives you some pop. Keeping the inning going, while setting up for your power. The clean up spot is reserved for your best power hitter, he’s gotta have pop, but can’t have an average in the low .200's. Five and six holes are where you stick your last two power guys, with the better hitter of the two hitting fifth, but both give you a chance to knock some of your top of the order guys in. The worst hitter in your lineup is thrown in the seventh spot, no real reason other than he doesn’t have any real importance there. The eighth spot is where you put a guy that can get on base so that the pitcher is able to hit, thus turning the lineup over. He is sort of like a second lead off hitter in a matter of speaking.

Looking at the lineup the Phils’ have sported over the last few weeks, you come to notice theirs isn’t exactly matched up to the description above, and you have to wonder why that is. Well, you’d be right to ask, cause they have a few people switched around, and it could come back to bite them in the ass. Hitting Jimmy Rollins at the top of your lineup isn’t a bad thing, while he doesn’t walk as much as a lead off man should, he gets his hits, and steals bases at will. Since Chase Utley has returned from injury, he’s been hit second, but this is where things go south. This should really be Shane Victorino or Jayson Werth hitting there, both of whom do the job of a two hole hitter well. Whichever plays, hits there. Utley is by far the team’s best player, and best hitter, so his home is in the three spot. He hits for a high average, is consistent, and can get runs across the plate with some power. Ryan Howard hitting clean up is no secret hear, he’s the reigning MVP for a reason, and unless he’s hurt, that’s his spot everyday. You’ll need a righty to protect Howard in the lineup, and while Burrell could do the job, you really have to put Aaron Rowand here. He’s a better hitter overall, and doesn’t strike out at the frequency Burrell does. Sticking Burrell in the six hole is best, he’s the last of the legit power in the lineup, and can drive in runs. The Phils’ seven hitter should be whoever is manning third, whether it’s Wes Helms, or Greg Dobbs. Helms because he’s been too inconsistent, and Dobbs cause he’s a left handed bat, and will make it harder to bring in a situational pitcher. Eight is where the catchers on this team come in, and it’s only because they have Chris Coste, and Carlos Ruiz. Coste is a professional hitter, and does a good job of getting on. For the sake of keeping things consistent, you put Ruiz in that spot when he doesn’t hit, even though he isn’t getting on base as much. The ninth spot is obviously the pitcher in this case, no matter what Tony La Russa tries to do with hitting them eighth.

Teams that play into October, are teams that do the little things, and that have managers that put the right lineups together. Charlie Manuel needs to right the sails of this ship of inconsistency, and that will start by getting Utley and Burrell where they need to be. Pat the Bat did step up when his team needed him, and that’s the first time anyone can say that in the last four years. With his deed done, it is time for him to return to his home in the batting order, so that this team can finally find the consistency that will get them into October baseball. It’s time for Charlie to prove he’s the manager of the year, and for this team to prove it indeed does have what it takes to win. With all the weapons they have, this is their shot, they have to take it. We’ll all be waiting at the finish line, either with a bottle of champagne, or the usual course of boos.