FanPost

Lineup Optimization

It appears that the idea of optimizing lineup has caught on. Fangraphs did a post on this today and here is the link: Optimized Lineups Opening Day

So, the NL teams end up with about 0.16 runs less on average because of not optimizing the lineups by having the pitcher bat eighth. Here's the money quote:

Over 162 games that is 25 runs or 2.5 wins, a surprisingly high number to me.

To me, too! As with everybody else, most likely. The other question though is whether simply flipping no. 8 and no 9 is the best idea. We have Cedeno batting pseudo-leadoff, which isnt necessarily a good thing. I'd be tempted to put Andy LaRoche there, but he has no speed at all.

The other money quote:

he studies of lineup optimization shows that the 2nd, 4th and 5th spots should all have better hitters than the third, so having the game’s best hitter bat third really hurts.

So, when the Bucs put Andrew McCutchen at 2nd, they knew what they were doing huh? :D Now if they'd put Lastings Milledge in at 3 and move Jones and Doumit down a spot. Or maybe even Andy LaRoche at 3.

Wonder what would happen to Smizik if you asked him to take a look at this! Sorry, couldn't help it :-)

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