Game 28: Rollins back to leadoff spot
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Game 28: Rollins back to leadoff spot
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Drastic changes in the Phillies lineup as a three-game series with Washington begins.
Jimmy Rollins is back in his customary leadoff spot for the first time this season. Rollins had batted third in each of the Phillies' first 27 games. It's not that he's done terrible from there -- but a .346 slugging percentage is not optimal for the three hole.
It's not that Placido Polanco will bring much pop to the third spot, but Charlie Manuel apparently felt it was time for a change. Livan Hernandez starts for the Nationals.
It also appears a platoon has fully developed at second base, with Pete Orr earning yet another start against a righthander.
Here's the full nine:
1. Jimmy Rollins 6
2. Shane Victorino 8
3. Placido Polanco 5
4. Ryan Howard 3
5. Ben Francisco 9
6. Raul Ibanez 7
7. Pete Orr 4
8. Brian Schneider 2
9. Cole Hamels 1
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sla6yer, Ibanez has sat for 4 of the last 5 lefty starters, so a platoon is in effect already in place. That would likely change if/when Raul starts hitting again.
So for all their issues, the Phils are 6th out of 16 in scoring (runs per game), behind STL, CIN, ARI, COL, and FLA. Better than I would have expected.— schmenkman- Ibanez: as recently as July through September of last year, he hit .303 with an .853 OPS, but I guess when you're pushing 39 it comes with the territory that folks are constantly writing your obituary. He may be done, but there's also a decent chance that he's not.— schmenkman
- So, who will bee on base for Polanco to knock in? This seems like a pretty moot move overall.— bobcitydoc
Comment removed.- I can't wait to see the posts next season when Rollins is gone and we have Ivan DeJesus Jr playing short.— DODGE.EM
- Here is my two cents on the order:
Rollins
Victorino
Polanco
Howard
Francisco
Ibanez
Ruiz
Orr/Valdez
Pitcher— ATrucksess - wmontane - the Giants also beat a pretty good hitting team in Texas. Pitching and defense generally wins in the post season. If Chase is healthy, than he will help with the offense. I think Mayberry will continue to take more of Ibanez's time, and he has some pop. These team scores runs in bunches, but they will have some off games, especially with Ruiz and Utley out of the lineup.
I agree that Victorino is better in the leadoff spot than Rollins, but there isn't too much difference when you bat them 1-2. When Chase comes back, I'd bat Jimmy 5th and keep Shane at the top of the order.— dankil13 - Agreed. And I'd actually keep Polly in the 3 hole and Utley 2nd to break up the lefties.
- That's a dreadful back half of the lineup...— hotelguy
- Jimmy is seeing more pitches this year (highest rate in his career so far), so putting him there isn't a terrible move. If they can play small ball against these guys (can def. run on Hernandez), this team can do some damage.— ESFjellin
- Rollins is gonna be the leadoff hitter, and always should have been. When Chase gets back (hopefully soon), none of this will matter. People need to stop comparing this squad to the 08-09 teams that coukd mash the ball. Ibanez is about to be out anyway, why not start changing the guard toward our younger, stronger talent. He is far from those 30-some odd bombs he hit 2 years ago. If we maintain this rate of winning until chase gets back, we will be able to add some pop to the back end of the lineup, getting rid of those middle innings where its all but certain the opposing team is outta there 1-2-3. All is well in Phils country, or at least will be very soon.— wgureck
- Can't wait for Sanberg to come up and take the reigns from Gomer— attila
- I don't have any problem with the adjusted line-up, but I think we need a platoon in in left field with Ibanez and Mayberry. I doubt Mayberry can get less hits...— JohnFC
- The Phillies are now 8th in runs scored and falling fast. They scored a lot of runs the first week or two of the season and have been slumping badly except for a couple of games. They need to be more consistent or it will be a long summer.— CAPhilsfan
- Rollins needs to get on base and run. If he or Victorino can set the table, they'll be fine.— beegal99
