Or more likely, we're seeing what was feared in Spring Training. But it's time to change it up:

 

Vs Righties:

 

Fuld

Dozier

Mauer

Kubel

Plouffe

Arcia (when back)

Willingham (when back)/Colabello

Pinto/Suzuki

Escobar

 

Vs. Lefties:

Fuld

Dozier

Mauer

Plouffe

Willingham

Collabello

Pinto

Suzuki

Escobar

Why are you moving Dozier out of the lead-off spot in favor of Fuld? That doesn't make sense to me. It moves all of your better hitters down the lineup a spot, giving them less at bats. I like the idea of adding some platoons, but moving everyone back so Fuld can get more at bats seems, well, batty.

Yes, they are slumping--specifically the previously surprising middle of the order. I was thinking that it might be time to move Mauer back to the #3 spot. Healthy and productive returns from Willingham and Arcia would be welcome. So far (super SSS), Fuld has looked capable as a stopgap in center and Escobar has been fine at SS. Let's give Escobar a couple weeks and hope for someone to take the reins in center.

Ideally, Fuld is a leadoff batter. However, he doesn't have the OBP or BA to be any good there. Escobar is a much better option at leadoff if he can continue to hit. But Dozier is the safe pick for right now.

Leave Fuld near the bottom of the order where Hicks was hitting, Dozier is doing just fine in the leadoff.

 

Let's not add Arcia & Willingham to the lineup until they are actually back, otherwise you will only get 0-fers in those spots. There will be plenty of time to fit them back into the lineup when they return.

Why are you moving Dozier out of the lead-off spot in favor of Fuld? That doesn't make sense to me. It moves all of your better hitters down the lineup a spot, giving them less at bats. I like the idea of adding some platoons, but moving everyone back so Fuld can get more at bats seems, well, batty.

 

Having a guy hitting .220 leading off isn't ideal. And why have your #1 power hitter hitting 1st? I'd actually be OK moving him down even further, but I think either he or Mauer have to hit 2nd for lack of other options.

 

That said, the biggest problem right now is that Plouffe, Collabello and Kubel are all slumping at the same time which is making the middle of the order a black hole.

Edited May 3, 201412 yr by howeda7