Jim Leyland decided on a lineup, at least for tomorrow. It is:
Curtis Granderson
Placido Polanco
Gary Sheffield
Magglio Ordonez
Carlos Guillen
Pudge Rodriguez
Sean Casey
Craig Monroe
Brandon Inge
No real surprises. I probably would have flip-flopped Ordonez and Guillen because 1) I think Guillen is a better hitter, and 2)It spreads out the left handed bats slightly better, but I don’t think it will make a big difference regardless.
A bit of a switch from what he has used all spring. I like Guillen more at 4 as well. But its fine. Better than last season when they had Ivan at 3 and Guillen at 7.
Judging by Polanco’s 2006 numbers, I’d rather have him lower in the order and Guillen batting second. Polanco’s an old-school style #2 hitter, a “bat control” guy; he had a lousy OBA and little power last year. I’d rather have someone who can keep the offensive momentum moving forward with a hit or a walk. Last year it could be argued that Guillen was needed in the heart of the order, but with the addition of Sheffield, that’s not true anymore.
As long as Sheffield hits 3 or 4, I’m not sure the order matters all that much. Agree with jvwalt that Polanco would ideally hit lower–although the guy is a potential .330 hitter. Other than him, every hitter is probably projected to hit between 15 and 25 HRs.