Batting Lineup

[Dalas21000]

Does any1 know why Cora changed up the batting order this year? I thought things worked well the way they were last year? Just sayin

[a700hitter]

Does any1 know why Cora changed up the batting order this year? I thought things worked well the way they were last year? Just sayin

Sometimes managers like to outsmart themselves.

[redsoxrules]

Meh, it doesn't matter what the lineup is. I hear a lot of people complaining about Betts not leading off. He can hit wherever he bats in the order. If not than he doesn't deserve a 300 MIL contract

[Maxbialystock]

Cora is blameworthy, but I hesitate to base that on the lineup.

 

The telling truths are--

 

1. He has the same high-priced rotation he had last year but without Pom, who bombed. So far they are pretty awful.

2. He also has pretty much the same lineup less Kinsler, who didn't hit much, and plus Pedey, who still might be able to hit (and field). They are about half as good as last year.

3. He has most of the same bullpen less Kelly, who looks awful so far in LA, and Kimbrel, who can't help this bullpen because he only pitches the 9th, preferably with no one on and a 3 run lead. The bullpen is less and less effective, but I blame some of that on how much Cora has to use them when his starters can't go 5 innings, let alone 6 or 7.

4. He has the same defense minus gold glover Kinsler at 2B.

5. He also still has the highest payroll in MLB.

[Slasher9]

Does any1 know why Cora changed up the batting order this year? I thought things worked well the way they were last year? Just sayin

 

i think Cora was trying to get Mookie up to bat with men on base more often this season. the #9 hitter last season didnt have a very high OBP and he is expecting Beni to get on base a bit more.

i am holding off judgement for now as it is still too early and too cold.

[dgalehouse]

The lineup is not Cora's fault . It is being made out by Harold Nerdwell from the analytics staff . Harold has a lot of clout these days .

[fxkatt]

The lineup is not Cora's fault . It is being made out by Harold Nerdwell from the analytics staff . Harold has a lot of clout these days .

 

When Cora steps down, he will be replaced by a black box developed by Amazon's A.I. or some other silicon valley corporation.

[SCM33]

The thing I don't understand.....Swihart can play LF, and Pearce has made 27 starts at 2B in his career (and 8 starts at 3B).

 

Was wasn't Vasquez catching, with Pearce at 2B and Swihart in LF?

 

Not that it mattered, but I felt that Cora was getting a little cute. In the end, at least we know that Vasquez has the versatility to do it in a pinch.

[devildavid]

Meh, it doesn't matter what the lineup is. I hear a lot of people complaining about Betts not leading off. He can hit wherever he bats in the order. If not than he doesn't deserve a 300 MIL contract

 

Exactly. If Betts is truly a superstar, where he hits should not hurt his performance. His big payday depends on him, not where Cora pencils him in in the batting order.

[notin]

Meh, it doesn't matter what the lineup is. I hear a lot of people complaining about Betts not leading off. He can hit wherever he bats in the order. If not than he doesn't deserve a 300 MIL contract

 

It really is his job to hit where Cora tells him too.

 

So people think Sale needing a catcher he has faith in won’t help, but Betts’ clear and obvious problem is not leading off?

[notin]

The lineup is not Cora's fault . It is being made out by Harold Nerdwell from the analytics staff . Harold has a lot of clout these days .

 

 

It’s really weird that you think MLB managers actually aren’t into analytics. A lot of players are deep into analytics. They actually use bats with sensors to optimize launch angles. But you think managers are all like Lou Brown (portrayed brilliantly by James Gammon) in “Major League”?

[jacksonianmarch]

If you guys think Cora came up with this rest idea on his own, I’ve got a swamp to sell you. This was upper level management selling the fan base on an organizational decision and letting Cora take the credit or blame dependent on the outcome.

[Bellhorn04]

If you guys think Cora came up with this rest idea on his own, I’ve got a swamp to sell you. This was upper level management selling the fan base on an organizational decision and letting Cora take the credit or blame dependent on the outcome.

 

What the heck gave you the idea that upper management came up with that idea? I know it's fun making things up, but...

 

Cora was preaching the rest philosophy from Day One.

[jacksonianmarch]

Of course he’s going to preach the philosophy because he was told to. Management is involved in EVERYTHING these days from lineups down to pitching moves. Cora did not come up with this on his own, as a matter of fact, I bet he was initially against it as it leaves your squad unprepared for the regular season.

[Bellhorn04]

Of course he’s going to preach the philosophy because he was told to. Management is involved in EVERYTHING these days from lineups down to pitching moves. Cora did not come up with this on his own, as a matter of fact, I bet he was initially against it as it leaves your squad unprepared for the regular season.

 

100% speculation.

[Slasher9]

What the heck gave you the idea that upper management came up with that idea? I know it's fun making things up, but...

 

Cora was preaching the rest philosophy from Day One.

 

it was done in Houston where he was bench coach...

[Hitch]

There are times when Jacko speaks such enormous amounts of s*** with unwavering confidence; it simply has to be admired.

[jacksonianmarch]

So the analytics department, which runs the team, just came around to Cora on this? No f***ing way. This is an organizational decision. I have no doubt

[Bellhorn04]

So the analytics department, which runs the team, just came around to Cora on this? No f***ing way. This is an organizational decision. I have no doubt

 

What f***ing analytics are there that show you should rest your starting rotation throughout spring training?

[jacksonianmarch]

Analytics treat people like robots. The rest through ST is a very “save the battery life” kind of move.

[Slasher9]

Ore importantly.....who calls it a f***ing “batting lineup”? It’s batting order....

[Slasher9]

So the analytics department, which runs the team, just came around to Cora on this? No f***ing way. This is an organizational decision. I have no doubt

Did the analytics department sign Pablo? Price? Pearce? Evo?

[Kimmi]

It’s really weird that you think MLB managers actually aren’t into analytics. A lot of players are deep into analytics. They actually use bats with sensors to optimize launch angles. But you think managers are all like Lou Brown (portrayed brilliantly by James Gammon) in “Major League”?

 

Especially Cora. He is very much into analytics.

[notin]

Especially Cora. He is very much into analytics.

 

 

They all are.

 

Managing a baseball team without using analytics is like trying to win the Indy 500 driving a Model T...

[Kimmi]

Of course he’s going to preach the philosophy because he was told to. Management is involved in EVERYTHING these days from lineups down to pitching moves. Cora did not come up with this on his own, as a matter of fact, I bet he was initially against it as it leaves your squad unprepared for the regular season.

 

Cora experienced this with the Astros. This is the Astros' philosophy, so if you want to credit someone besides Cora, credit the Astros organization.

 

Cora saw how well it worked with that franchise and he was adamant about using the same approach here. The Red Sox management had nothing to do with this decision, other than giving Cora the okay to do it his way.

 

Dombrowski actually brought in La Russa, just in case, because he wasn't quite sure that Cora's strategies would work.

[Kimmi]

100% speculation.

 

Not even speculation in this case.

[Kimmi]

So the analytics department, which runs the team, just came around to Cora on this? No f***ing way. This is an organizational decision. I have no doubt

 

Who knows what analytics Cora is using.

 

But Houston is one of the strongest teams when it comes to analytics.

[notin]

Who knows what analytics Cora is using.

 

But Houston is one of the strongest teams when it comes to analytics.

 

 

Also, hacking

[Kimmi]

Also, hacking

 

Computer geeks. Gotta love 'em.

[dgalehouse]

I think Cora , and other managers as well , are being pressured to go along with the recommendations of the analytical crew . And I think it is going a little too far . I want a baseball man ( and Cora is one ) making the decisions , not baseball's nutty professor , Bill ( the players aren't the game ) James .