[Ed. note: Once or twice throughout the season, the United Cardinal Bloggers undertake a roundtable discussion via e-mail that involves and answers various questions from the bloggers taking part over the course of a few weeks. We’ve spent most of our writing time answering those questions and taking part in those discussions (gladly, I might add), so figured they are fair game to post here – not to mention trying to gain a little exposure for both the project as well as some other blogs you all should be reading.]
Justin from Intangiball asks:
Keep the number 10 on your back for another day and consider the following lineup. If the playoffs began today, assuming everyone is healthy and knowing only what we now know about this team, this is who I would run out there. I’m offering this up for discussion because, while certain spots are clearly no-brainers, there is plenty of room for debate. Change something and explain your logic. Roast me from any angle you please. I’m Tony LaRussa and I can handle it.
- Brendan Ryan (SS)
- Skip Schumaker (2B)
- Albert Pujols (1B)
- Matt Holliday (LF)
- Ryan Ludwick (RF)
- Colby Rasmus (CF)
- Yadier Molina (C)
- David Freese (3B)
- Adam Wainwright (P)
You know, as I look this list up and down like my first centerfold, I think it just became real to me…who don’t we stack up against? And before you shout out the Phillies and Yanks, ask yourself, how would this group do playing half their contests in those parks?
- Schumaker – 2B
- Pujols – 1B
- Ryan – SS
- Ludwick – RF
- Holliday – LF
- Freese – 3B
- Rasmus – CF
- Pitcher – P
- Molina – C
Chew on that a minute.
Ok, I admit – I didn’t come up with that on my own.
I would go: Schumaker, Rasmus, Pujols, Holliday, Ludwick, Freese, Molina, Ryan, Pitcher – just like most of the rest of you. But I plugged that lineup into the Analysis Tool at Baseball Musings and it spit out the lineup at the top as the highest run producing combination.
The analysis tool is based largely upon weighted OBP and SLG – but arranges them to maximize at-bats and opportunities to move runners over.
Take it for what it’s worth. 🙂
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