An Original Strategy Idea

Charles Cox by Contributor Written on May 17, 2009

I think that the whole idea of platooning players to a lineup to have more left handed hitters against right handed pitching and vice versa is dumb.  However, if so many managers believe it, why not do this.  Allow your "starter" to pitch to the first batter.  The lineup sheet had already been turned in to the umpire and offical scorers, so the manager is somewhat "stuck" with them.  Change to another pitcher that throws from the opposite side as the original starter.  The other manager can not re platoon this early or he has too little bench for later innings as pinch hitters, pinch runners, or defensive replacements.  This would stop all this lefty/righty "percentage" crap.

With the stats available, a manager should check to see how any picture/ batter matchup results have fared.  Some lefties tend to hit lefties well.  Some right handed pitchers get left handers out as well or better than right handers. Also you can see whether this pitcher tends to get this batter out or not. This would be TRULY playing the percentages, but these managers have blindly been following old outmoded ideas for over 100 years.

 

Vote Now! - Author Poll

Is the lefty righty matchup overrated?

  • Yes very much
  • No it plays the percentages
  • Not sure
vote to see results
Results - Author Poll

Is the lefty righty matchup overrated?

  • Yes very much

    100.0%
  • No it plays the percentages

    0.0%
  • Not sure

    0.0%
  • Total votes: 1
(0)
...
Share This  
Crop_45x45
or to post this comment

38 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

Loading more comments...
posted just now
  • Loading...
  • Nobody has liked this comment yet
Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

68
reads

38
comments

written on May 17, 2009 Sports

The best newsletter on the web

Subscribe Now

We will never share your email address


CBS Sports Official Partner
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.