The lineup protection myth

[Goober]

Ryan Braun is having the best season of his career this year.

[Guest]

I believe in some sort of lineup protection to an extent, sort of what Rudi said.

I think the most bogus thing is lineup "roles." Those only come into play one time through the lineup. After that, all bets are off as to the order of things.

[Slateman]

Ryan Braun is having the best season of his career this year.

Brewers are also on their way to their worst record in his career

[mcstl25]

The article in the original post is horrible and completely misses the point. Here's why.

1) W2B put it very well. For probably 80 percent of at bats, I don't believe that lineup protection has much of an impact on star hitters who usually hit number 3 in the lineup. It's the clutch situations late in games where lineup protection comes in to play. Looking at a player's complete stats for the year waters down the situations where lineup protection really matters.

2) Just looking at the number of strikes thrown also paints an incomplete picture. Where are the strikes being thrown in the zone? What percentage of strikes are fastballs? Those are the numbers I want to hear about.

3) I think the biggest impact of lineup protection comes from the non-superstar player that hits behind the stud hitter. I've seen the #2 hitter in St. Louis benefit greatly from hitting behind Albert Pujols for years. Whenever I read these lineup protection analysis' it's always focused on teams #3 and #4 hitters. I'd like to see the impact that it has on the #2 hitter because that's where I think lineup protection comes in to play the most.

[Villain]

The article in the original post is horrible and completely misses the point. Here's why.

1) W2B put it very well. For probably 80 percent of at bats, I don't believe that lineup protection has much of an impact on star hitters who usually hit number 3 in the lineup. It's the clutch situations late in games where lineup protection comes in to play. Looking at a player's complete stats for the year waters down the situations where lineup protection really matters.

2) Just looking at the number of strikes thrown also paints an incomplete picture. Where are the strikes being thrown in the zone? What percentage of strikes are fastballs? Those are the numbers I want to hear about.

3) I think the biggest impact of lineup protection comes from the non-superstar player that hits behind the stud hitter. I've seen the #2 hitter in St. Louis benefit greatly from hitting behind Albert Pujols for years. Whenever I read these lineup protection analysis' it's always focused on teams #3 and #4 hitters. I'd like to see the impact that it has on the #2 hitter because that's where I think lineup protection comes in to play the most.

I agree, especially on point number 2. I remember when Adrian Gonzales was on the Padres and he had to swing at absolute junk all the time. He was the only hitter they had and if he walked, they didn't score. It was that simple. So he had to swing aggressively to try to get anything going - and since he's such a talented player he would still be able to mash. Then he goes to Boston and is placed in a quality line-up and his numbers fly through the roof - even on the road (obviously it's better for hitters in Fenway as opposed to PETCO).

[Goober]

Brewers are also on their way to their worst record in his career

What does this have to do with the thread at all? This is like me bringing up the fact that Bryce Harper will be a Yankee in six years; in a rookie of the year discussion. It's true but who cares?

Learn to have an actual conversation instead of sputtering out random shit.