Position, Player, (at bats), OBP/SLG/AVG

C - I. Rodriguez (135)  .303/.452/.259

    - H. Quintero (27)   .222/.259/.222

1B - Berkman   .362/.477/.229

2B - Matsui   .288/.295/.219

SS - Tejada   .369/.519/.346

3B - Blum (124)    .333/.331/.266

      - Keppinger (70)   .400/.514/.314

LF - Lee   .358/.523/.316

CF - Bourn   .358/.381/.286

RF  - Pence   .423/.515/.352

As a team

4th in AVG , .267

11th in OBP, .331 5th has .337

10th in SLG, .407 5th has .419

14th in RUNS (granted they've played 46 games and half the teams half played 47-48. even if you spot them 10 runs they're 10th in runs)

They should be scoring runs. 

Are they just due to score a ton of runs? What am I missing?

The numbers look good, even promising as Berkman is starting to swing it again.

Can you put that much blame on Cooper? I don't think so. Something has to explain why as individuals they are performing well but can't score as a team.

In the end maybe it doesn't matter because if Roy doesn't start pitching and we don't have a #3 your not going to get much done.

The bright spot? The bullpen should start to get better as everyone comes off the DL. And we have a few All Stars: the Boss,  Wandilicous, Miggy and I'd say Bourn (but defense doesn't count).

Not that this a surprise.

The guys at Fan Graphs did this piece on the A's having the most used bullpen.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/?feed=rss2

If I understand it right the Astros are using the bullpen for 39% of there innings making them second in the league and fourth in the majors. Add to that  losing the better half of your pen to injuries and you've lost a bunch of games.

Lineups are always fun to talk about even though there are good arguments that they don't matter that much. It just doesn't feel right that that could be true.

On Jesus Ortiz blog he notes that Cooper could have Pudge hitting 2nd.

http://blogs.chron.com/baseballblog/archives/2009/03/pudge_could_bat.html

I guess it comes down to the lesser of two evils. (for me anyways) Bourn or Pudge. I think the only other possibility is Pence but I would like him 5th were he should have more rbi chances. Neither Bourn nor Pudge are good obp guys although Bourn is suppose to be "improved." If they really think he can handle the bat better particularly in bunting where I think there is the best chance for improvement he should be in the 2 hole. If they don't see that improvement go with Pudge.

Also if you have Bourn in the 2 it gives strengthens the back end of the lineup so its not three easy outs. I guess that all depends on Bourn taking that step forward. I really don't believe it that much.

Cooper states the obvious. Kaz leads off, Berkman 3rd and Lee clean up. But I disagree with him on saying Tejada has to hit 5th.

Pence would be more productive than Tejada in the 5. He is simply going to bring more power and rbis than Tejada and less gdp.

Matsui - Bourn - Berkman - Lee - Pence - Tejada - Rodriguez - 3B - P

Thats how I would start the season. If Bourn is playing poorly and Pudge is not then I move Pudge to the 2, 3B to the 7 and Bourn to the 8.

Unless CJ makes the team and is hitting well then thats a whole nother story.