Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers Game Thread (August 26 - 28)

If my 7th hitter has a high OBP it either means 1) the rest of the lineup is that good where we could put him down there. 2) The manager has made a bad decision in putting a superior hitter lower in the lineup.

But just b/c of his position in the lineup, he shouldn't try to be something he's not. Just because A.J. Ellis is hitting 8th doesn't mean he should try to hit a home run every time up because the pitcher won't drive him in. Theres still the same value if he gets on base, hey, now the pitcher is cleared for the next inning. Hitters should always play to whatever strengths they have, and wtv these strengths are are should be used by the manager.

The manager should put these players in the lineup order that suits their strengths, the hitters shouldn't try to create their strengths based on where the manager puts them.

 

Adrian gets a lot of love but I think a lot of it comes from the fact he doesn't have one huge flaw, but isn't necessarily excelling in one area. Well, I guess his RISP is one huge area he's excelling in but yeah. Also, I feel like when Adrian fails at something, it's like "Oh well we still have two solid hitters in Hanley and whoevers behind Hanley (Ethier or someone) who will clean this up" and they usually do. Meanwhile when Ethier fails its like "Well, that was the last chance with Jerry Hairston, Jr. behind us" Maybe that's a stupid reason, especially with Juan Uribe kicking ass behind Ethier, but just a theory.

I hope Andre keeps it up in September. September can be a huge month for him to make or break a real good season or maybe not, but if he has another month like July/August then I like the chances (although his value will lower when Kemp comes back to play CF as an inferior defender).

 

With all that said, Adrian needs to hit better. He is not going to be moved from 3 or 4 in the lineup ever, so our next best bet is for him to starting being a better hitter. If he can't have the power he did early in his career, then fine, theres nothing he can do to fake he has that power, then I'd hope he can at least do a better job of getting on base. Help his OBP and OPS rise with some walks if his slugging isn't going to rise.

 

wanting penile augmentation?

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/library/misc/wpa/

Theres the explanation, but to try and put it simply: It means that this year, Gonzo's hitting has increased our chances of winning the game by more than everyone in the game except Davis, Miggy, and Goldy.

As it says, it isn't a predictive stat, meaning, we can't use it to necessarily say: "Hey, well, Gonzo will now hit better next month and next year cause he is doing this!" and it also is a counting stat, which means that players with more playing time can gain a higher WPA (which is why you wouldn't see Hanley/Puig up there even with them obviously been outstanding). Hope I answered.

 

Here's another good read on WPA, kind of makes you not much value in it a bit but it makes some sense:

You can use it to make a good story about someone being clutch but that changes so much with BABIP and opportunities it's hard to say anything definitive about someone being "clutch" without it having a good deal to do with your feelings.