Phillies Lineup Changes

The Phillies have a “real” manager in Ryne Sandberg. A “real” manager is something that the Phillies have not had in close to a decade. Sandberg knows how to manage a game. Managing a baseball game starts before the first pitch is thrown with creating the starting lineup. The lineup is something that varies day to day. One of Sandberg’s best attributes is being able to make adjustments game by game that correspond with his player’s strengths.

Ben Revere leading off:

Revere is fast. Revere is really really really, ridiculously fast. If only he was able to throw. If Revere did not have his speed than he would be nothing. His terrible arm in the outfield causes Ryne to be hesitant to keep him in the lineup on a daily basis in order to limit errors. Sandberg’s logic is to get your fastest player on the base paths early in order to get early runs. Let’s hope he can bring his average up above .300 and learn to work the pitch count more effectively. Also Mayberry will take his place in the over Revere because he crushes left handers. But then Gwynn Jr. is the better fielder.

Wil Nieves hitting in the 2 hole:

Nieves is a hitter that can hit to all sides of the ball park. He is the typical contact hitter, but at least he can take pitches and be smart with what he actually does swing at.

Chase Utley hitting 3^rd:

The 3^rd spot is where any team’s best hitter is in the lineup. This year Utley is the Phillies best hitter so he goes in the 3^rd spot. It was just a matter of time before he was slotted there. Since the beginning of the year he was crushing the baseball.

Dropping Ryan Howard to 5^th:

Howard has little power. He did hit a walk-off homerun. We need to see that more often.

Rollins and Ruiz in the top two spots:

The first and second hitters are your on-base guys. Jimmy Rollins might have his days with the Phillies coming to an end, but he belongs in the leadoff spot. That was his spot when he was thePhillies’ MVP. Ruiz is one of the beter hitting catchers in the National League.

Cody Asche hitting 6^th:

Before Asche got injured, he was on a tear. He originally started the year in the eight spot. Sandberg eased him into the lineup during the beginning of the year by having bat only against lefties. Fingers crossed for Asche to pick up where he left off after recovering from his injury.

Marlon Byrd hitting behind Howard

Marlon Byrd has proven to the Philadelphia fans that he can once again be productive at the Major League level. Byrd has shown that he can be an RBI machine and hit above .300, making up for Ryan Howard’s mistakes. Byrd’s power has been shown at some points during the season however he is still lacking somewhat in the homerun category. Byrd has been one of the few good assets picked up by Amaro this season

Dominic Brown in the lineup over Ruf?

Dominic Brown has made no adjustments to his swing since coming up from the Minor Leagues a few years ago. Last season he had only a few good weeks until he went back to being the typical Brown striking out and missing pitches. His fielding is below average, not knowing how to read a ball. With Darin Ruf on the bench hitting over 40 homeruns in the minors, he should be given the opportunity to start over Brown. If the Phillies kept or had capable outfielders, Brown and Revere would not be in there any long. Phillies fans would love to have Bobby Abreu back in their lineups who is now hitting over .300. It’s time to give Ruf his chance.

Lineup changes are not a direct result from a win or a loss. Sandberg will most likely never commit to a standard lineup. Ryne Sandberg creates a lineup every day that he believes will create the most scoring opportunities. There is a reason for each change. Each player has to execute their role in the lineup for it to work and for the Phillies to win.