October 21, 2006
Position Comparison, Leftfielders
Craig Monroe is the prototypical Detroit hitter. He doesn't hit for a high average, he doesn't get on base much, but he collects doubles and homers. In the postseason so far, he's drawn three walks in thirty at bats, showing better patience than he did in the regular season.
La Russa platoons Spiezio and Preston Wilson in left. Wilson is the superior hitter vs. left-handers, and Spiezio bats better against righties. Scott posts a lower batting average from the left side, but his power goes way up. That platoon gets on base a lot more than Monroe, and with decent power. The better OBA in my mind throws this comparison to St. Louis.
Actually, Duncan got the bulk of paying time in LF (Basically taking over the starters job since August), followed by Taguchi, then J-Rod, then Spezio.
Wilson mostly played RF for the Cardinals.
Of course, that was because Edmonds was hurt, and Encarnacion played a lot of CF in his absenese
Grrrr, make that "playing time"
In that case, I'll give the advantage to Detroit. Maybe La Russa is playing the hot hand.