No, I am not talking about batting the pitcher in the eight spot. There is no way to argue that we haven't been winning while we've been doing that.
What I want to see an end to is the all right-hand hitting lineups La Russa throws out against left handed pitching. Our right handed hitting does not take enough advantage of LHP to make it worthwhile.
Look at the numbers so far this season:
RHB v. RHP
AB: 1706
Hits: 471
HR: 48
Slg: .413
RHB v. LHP
AB: 1002
Hits: 281
HR: 19
Slg: .395
These number are pretty dreadful. While batting average goes up slightly (.276 v. .280), the power numbers drop right into the toilet. While a full 10% of the hits off of RHP go for home runs, RHB only manage to hit homers at a 6.7% clip against lefties. This is only marginally better the our LHB does against LHP (2 HR's out of 40 hits, or 5%.) Sure Duncan is only hitting .225 against LHP, but he has only had 71 AB's against them, and it is still better than Ludwick or Rolen's average against southpaws. And when you consider what a big power role Duncan plays on this team it makes even less sense to keep him on the bench.
The thing is had Duncan faced more LHP earlier in the season (and last season for that matter) he might be better prepared to face it now. You can make the same argument for Ankiel as well. As of right now only Albert Pujols has a batting average above .225 with more than one home run against LHP. So where is the benefit from sitting Duncan and Ankiel?
What I want to see an end to is the all right-hand hitting lineups La Russa throws out against left handed pitching. Our right handed hitting does not take enough advantage of LHP to make it worthwhile.
Look at the numbers so far this season:
RHB v. RHP
AB: 1706
Hits: 471
HR: 48
Slg: .413
RHB v. LHP
AB: 1002
Hits: 281
HR: 19
Slg: .395
These number are pretty dreadful. While batting average goes up slightly (.276 v. .280), the power numbers drop right into the toilet. While a full 10% of the hits off of RHP go for home runs, RHB only manage to hit homers at a 6.7% clip against lefties. This is only marginally better the our LHB does against LHP (2 HR's out of 40 hits, or 5%.) Sure Duncan is only hitting .225 against LHP, but he has only had 71 AB's against them, and it is still better than Ludwick or Rolen's average against southpaws. And when you consider what a big power role Duncan plays on this team it makes even less sense to keep him on the bench.
The thing is had Duncan faced more LHP earlier in the season (and last season for that matter) he might be better prepared to face it now. You can make the same argument for Ankiel as well. As of right now only Albert Pujols has a batting average above .225 with more than one home run against LHP. So where is the benefit from sitting Duncan and Ankiel?
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