Brendan Ryan is penciled into the first slot in Tony La Russa’s batting order today, facing Barry Zito and the San Francisco Giants.
This will be the first time back in the lead-off spot for Ryan since July 1 against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Ryan has obviously improved at the plate as the season has gone on, and this looks like a pretty calculated move by the skipper based upon Ryan’s past successes. Per BJ Rains of Fox Sports Midwest (via tweet, emphasis is mine):
Cards lineup: Ryan 6, Jay 8, Pujols 3, Holliday 7, Lopez 4, Feliz 5, Molina 2, Craig 9, Garcia 1……Ryan and Lopez good numbers vs. Zito.
Versus Zito: .462/.462/.538 – yeah, I’d say those are good numbers.
Additionally though, Ryan has had success in his very limited appearances leading off this season.
Leading off: .353/.353/.588 (only 18 plate appearances)
And while the numbers aren’t earth-shattering, he’s been more successful both versus left-handers this season and has better numbers than his career slash line while leading off versus lefties.
Versus lefties in 2010: .245/.310/.302
Batting lead-off versus left-handed pitchers, career: .274/.333/.347
Good move, Tony. Gosh, I better stop agreeing with what he does – I have a reputation to uphold!
Comments on this entry are closed.