If you’re a baseball fan, you’re probably familiar with the importance of lineup construction. It can make or break a team’s success over the course of a long season. In this blog post, we’ll delve into research on lineup construction and explore an intriguing proposal for the Astros’ lineup.
Lineups may seem like a small detail, but over the course of 162 games, the law of averages comes into play. That’s why it’s critical to maximize runs by placing your best hitters near the top of the lineup. With your leadoff hitter getting an average of 144 more plate appearances than your #9 hitter, every spot in the lineup matters.
The Astros are facing a lineup dilemma with Altuve out for two months. Luckily, research suggests that Kyle Tucker would be the best fit for the leadoff spot. Despite his .330 OBP last season, Tucker was punished by the shift and is expected to improve in 2021. Plus, he led the team in steals with 25, making him an ideal candidate for the leadoff spot.
But what about the rest of the lineup? The proposal suggests putting Bregman in the #2 spot, Alvarez in the #3 spot, and Abreu in the cleanup spot. These are the team’s top four hitters, and they should be batting in the top four spots. The #5 and #6 spots can be filled by Brantley (if he’s healthy) and Pena (if he’s up for it). The remaining spots can be filled by a combination of other players.
This lineup proposal may not be realistic given Dusty Baker’s tendencies, but it’s certainly an intriguing idea. Who knew lineup construction could be so interesting? Keep these research findings in mind as baseball season rolls around, and remember to pay close attention to your team’s lineup choices.
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