A running game in '09?

tangledbrett — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:55:25 -0000

Watching the Rays this postseason reminded me how much fun it is to watch a team with a running game. It also reminded me of how frustrating it is to watch your team’s pitcher suffer the harassment of dealing with a slugger at the plate and a base stealing threat on the bases. Reminded me of the 2004 NLCS when Beltran was running wild against us.

I was trying to think what it would take to get that type of running game back in St. Louis and I had couple of thought I would like to throw out there. Let’s assume for a moment that Rasmus makes the opening day roster this season and we sign either Furcal or another shortstop that hits leadoff (with decent on base ability) and can steal bases. If these two things happen, I think a strong case can be made that Albert should hit fourth. TLR has shown, and for good reason I believe, that he is not willing to steal bases ahead of Albert to avoid allowing the opposing pitcher to pitch around his greatness. Occasionally he will put on the hit and run with Albert at the plate (which I hate), but that is about it. Think about the following lineup with my prior assumptions:

Furcal

Rasmus

Pujols

Ludwick

Glaus

Ankiel

Molina

Pitcher

Lopez/2B

Seems to me that putting Albert behind a guy like Rasmus kind of negates his speed. That hasn’t really been a problem for the last few years since we really haven’t had much speed. With the lineup shown above, that changes significantly. I personally love the idea of Rasmus in the 2 spot due to his pop and on base abilities. Now think about this lineup

Furcal

Rasmus

Ludwick

Pujols

Glaus

Ankiel

Molina

Lopez/2B

Pitcher

Now pitchers have to worry about Furcal and Rasmus running while dealing with Ludwick and knowing that the best hitter in baseball is on deck.

I understand the reasoning for hitting Albert third, which I have always agreed with. More AB’s during the season and always hits in the first inning to name two. I personally would be OK with trading a few AB’s for a few more with runners on base for Albert. Furcal, Rasmus, and Ludwick are guys who can get on base. Hitting someone of Lopez or Iz2 caliber in the nine spot to make the 3-hole pseudo clean-up is not the same and I don’t believe is going to give Albert the same number of RBI opportunities.

In a lot of words (but little eloquence) I am saying that, with the lineups shown above, the team might be better off with Albert hitting fourth. It will open up the running game and should create more RBI opportunities for his eminence.

What do you guys think? I know this topic has come up before, but I thought I would throw it out there again since it is the offseason and we are into the hypothetical mode.

Oh, and one more random thought unrelated to my post. Based on this year’s winners, I think the Hank Aaron award should be renamed. I like the following: “The first annual Montgomery Burns award for outstanding achievement in the field of excellence.”

Thanks for reading. Happy Halloween!

SB Nation User Blog: tangledbrett

A running game in '09?