July 10, 2006
All-Star Lineups
If you asked me two weeks ago who would be the All-Star starting pitchers, I don't think I would have said Rogers and Penny. But basically due to rest. those two get the nod tomorrow night. I guess pushing down a camera man doesn't carry over to the next season:
It was this time a year ago Rogers was under intense scrutiny for knocking down a cameraman during a videotaped tirade.
Rogers, then with the Rangers, was charged with a misdemeanor in Texas after videotape of the June 29 incident showed him walking onto Ameriquest Field in Arlington and pushing a television camera to the ground. He agreed to attend an anger management class to avoid further punishment.
"It was very difficult," Rogers said. "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard, but I think I grew up with it and it made me a little better. ... Every challenge in my life that's come my way, I try to take advantage of anything I can learn from it and try to be better."
At least he says the right thing.
The batting orders are in the article as well, although I really wish Garner had flipped Renteria and Soriano. I can't argue much with the AL lineup. Here's how the Lineup Analysis Tool sees the AL lineup and the NL lineup. The best NL Lineup generates 6.6 runs per game, while the best AL lineup generates 6.0 runs per game. The lineups as constructed generate 6.3 runs for the NL and 5.6 for the AL. Not surprising, since there's a lot more power in the NL lineup.
Why do the best lineups have the worst hitter batting 8th, not 9th? Very interesting...
I believe it's because it gives more opportunities for the best (1-4) hitters to hit with runners on base. Also, this factor is not outweighed by the increased plate appearances that the worst hitter would get as a result of hitting higher in the order.