My gameplan
Faster than a speeding bullet
Batting order:
- Carl Crawford, LF
- Brian Roberts , 2B
- Chipper Jones, 3B
- Victor Martinez, C
- Paul Konerko, DH
- James Loney
- Edgar Renteria
- Jeremy Hermida
- Hunter Pence
Alternate lineup:
- Carl Crawford
- Brian Roberts
- Chipper Jones
- Paul Konerko
- James Loney
- Hunter Pence
- Jermey Hermida
- Ryan Doumit
- Edgar Renteria
Victor Martinez is the only that will get an off day, and only one for him. It's the playoffs, suck it up!
Bench:
- Ryan Doumit, C/RF
- Brayan Pena, C, 1B, 3B, RF, LF(not a typo, he can play all over the place)
- Marco Scutero, 2B, 3B, SS
- Gregor Blanco, LF, CF, RF
Rotation
- Felix Hernandez
- Matt Cain
- Tom Gorezlanny
- Carlos Silva
- Jair Jurrjens
Bullpen:
- (closer) J.J. Putz
- (top SU) Jonathon Broxton
- (second SU) Carlos Marmol
- (LHR) Scott Downs
- (MRP) Derek Turnbow
- (lefty specialist) Royce Ring
- (long man) Tom Glavine
I like my rotation, but I won't hesitate to go to my 'pen. Royce Ring is a one batter lefty guy, and would most likely come in for Robby Cano. His side arm action is very tough to read for a lefty.
I will steal Crawford a lot. Mac is great, but his arm isn't the best part of his game. I feel that my top 2 can steal on him. Hunter Pence won't be stealing a lot. I would only send him if he had a real good read on the pitchers pick off move and could get a big start.
I will use small ball for my top 2 hitters. Expect to see Crawford singling, stealing 2nd, and getting bunted over to 3rd a LOT. But, outside of those 2, I won't be stealing lot of bases. But watch out for guys like Hermida and Pence, as they will go 1B-to-3B at every chance. I may not bunt a lot, but my team will not be station to station.
I think this is the most balanced team in the draft. Bullpen, rotation, bench, and lineup are all good.
On my bench, I can do a lot of different things. All of my bench players can play multiple positions, I have a power bat(Doumit), that I can use because of my 3rd catcher. I also have a pinch runner outfield defence guy in Blanco, and he can hit some too. In a close matchup, I think my bench could make the difference.
B has a really good team, but I think I can run on McCann and get to his bullpen. Verlander is tough, and Weaver is pretty good, but there is a steep drop off after that. I will send runners home on Jones and Bay, but Young has a great arm, and my lineup is too solid up and down the order to waste runners by challenging him.
I think this is one of the best matchups in this draft, and I'm very interested in who comes out on top. Looking forward to it.
Big B's game plan
Sheff's Kitchen:
Batting Order (with Sheff):
1. Jose B. Reyes SS
2. Derrek Lee 1B
3. Gary Sheffield DH
4. Ryan J. Braun 3B
5. Robinson Cano 2B
6. Andruw Jones CF
7. Brian McCann C
8. Jason Bay LF
9. Delmon Young RF
Batting Order (with Inge and Bard):
1. Jose B. Reyes SS
2. Robinson Cano 2B
3. Derrek Lee 1B
4. Ryan J. Braun DH
5. Jason Bay LF
6. Andruw Jones CF
7. Delmon Young RF
8. Josh Bard C
9. Brandon Inge 3B
Rotation:
1. Justin Verlander
2. Jered Weaver
3. Bronson Arroyo
4. Zack Greinke
5. Hiroki Kuroda
Bullpen:
Closer: Huston Street
Set-up Man: Scot Shields
2nd Set-up man:Brad Lidge
Mid Relief: Matt Capps
Long relief: Octavio Dotel
Lefty specialist:Kason Gabbard
Bench:
Howie Kendrick
Michael Cuddyer
Brandon Inge
Josh Bard
Mike Jacobs
I plan on letting Reyes and Delmon go nuts on the basepaths. They won't always be stealing, but I will let them take big leads and be aggressive. I want them to get in the pitchers head, so my sluggers can may the pitcher pay. I will also be having them bunt from time to time to draw in the infielders. I don't plan on letting anyone else steal other than Bay occasionally. I will just let my hitters do what they do best.
I belive I have the best defending fielders. Minus Braun, they are all great fielders. Since Sheff isn't too young anymore, I will sit him for at least 1 or 2 games to give him some rest. He may come in late in the game as a pinch hitter if we need him. Inge is a great defender, and that's exactly why he will start a few games. He's not the best batter, but we have plenty more bats to make up for that. McCann will also get 1 game off, and Bard is an excellent defender as well. I will be keeping a close eye on Crawford and Roberts. My pitchers will throw over to the base (if they get on) and keep them in check. We will have McCann and Bard do some snap throws over to the base to keep them in check also. Cuddyer will also be a defensive replacement in the OF late in games. Kendrick and Jacobs will be pinch hitters late in games if we need them.
I will let my top 2 starters (Verlander and Weaver) go deep into games as long as they are having success. Usually 7-8 innings each. I don't need any of them to have complete games since I belive my bullpen can take control after they are out. When the other starters are up (Arroyo, Grienke, Kuroda), I will only allow to go 5-6 innings. Unless they are having a great game, I will let my bullpen take over after the 5th or 6th inning for those guys.
I believe I have the best hitting; 1-9 they can all hit great. Sheff will get lots of runs when he is in because he will draw alot of walks. Go inside on him, and you can kiss that ball good bye. I have a good mix of power and speed that should be able to generate 6-10 runs a game.
I might lose a game or two in the series, but I believe my great hitting and good two starters (Verlander and Weaver) will give me the advantage in this one.
Let the voting begin!
(voting ends at 2:05 PM Saturday. All votes must have a reason. I'm not looking for an essay, but 2-4 reasons are needed. Anyone can vote outside of the 2 active drafters. Any vote that does not include a few reasons in explanation will not be counted)
