March 15, 2008
Leadoff Versus Lefties
Jim Leyland batted Ivan Rodriguez in the leadoff spot, hoping to improve the catcher's selectivity:
"I think it pumps him (Rodriguez) up a little bit, (besides) being a good thing for our team," Leyland said. "You've got a Hall of Famer like that who went to the eighth hole without complaining. That's not the easiest thing to do, so I think it (batting leadoff at times) is good for him psychologically.
"If he continues to lay off bad balls, there's a chance I'll lead him off a lot against left-handers."
Ivan was never that selective a hitter. However, Granderson was really terrible against lefties in 2007. While Rodriguez hit .302 vs. lefties in 2007, he did not draw one walk. Still, I have no problem platooning batting order slots, I just think Leyland could find someone better than Pudge to put at the top of the order.
Posted by David Pinto at
11:59 AM
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(get ready for an obscure WWF reference)
I agree with Leyland. Now that I-Rod more closely resembles Coco Crisp than Ivan Putzski (because he's off steroids...shhh!) he would make a good lead-off hitter. To be more truthful, I think he's an ideal 2-spot hitter.