Cutch and RBI's

[magnumo]

McCutchen's RBI's have dropped way off in the second half.

But that shouldn't be a surprise. Look at the guys hitting in front of him in the lineup today:

8. Barmes OBP = .244.
9. Pitcher
1. Marte OBP = .276
2. Mercer OBP = .191

IMO, Hurdle does a lot of things right as a manager. But it makes no sense to me to cripple your best hitter's RBI opportunities with that kind of lineup construction. I guess there's not a whole lot to be done about Barmes and the pitcher..... but, in my view, there's no excuse for Marte and Mercer to be in the top two spots in the lineup. We need runners on base for McCutchen.

 

[dare2be]

To be fair, not having Walker in the #2 spot really hurts in this regard. Plus, we don't really have a consistent lead-off hitter...Presley has been up and down from the minors and the other platoon players in that position have been equally inconsistent.

 

[pixburgher66]

Speaking to Cutch's slump: did you guys see the DK and Cutch twitter feud? DK, being a columnist, called out Cutch for not being Clutch and slumping basically (I think he said something along the lines of "MVPs pull through in those spots"), and Cutch responded sounding pretty hurt. JMac even responded to it.

 

[element1286]

Speaking to Cutch's slump: did you guys see the DK and Cutch twitter feud? DK, being a columnist, called out Cutch for not being Clutch and slumping basically (I think he said something along the lines of "MVPs pull through in those spots"), and Cutch responded sounding pretty hurt. JMac even responded to it.

Dejan has a right to criticize, but it is a very sophomoric argument he made, especially since he knew that anyone can see that.

But I don't think Cutch should have responded.

 

[element1286]

McCutchen's RBI's have dropped way off in the second half.

But that shouldn't be a surprise. Look at the guys hitting in front of him in the lineup today:

8. Barmes OBP = .244.
9. Pitcher
1. Marte OBP = .276
2. Mercer OBP = .191

IMO, Hurdle does a lot of things right as a manager. But it makes no sense to me to cripple your best hitter's RBI opportunities with that kind of lineup construction. I guess there's not a whole lot to be done about Barmes and the pitcher..... but, in my view, there's no excuse for Marte and Mercer to be in the top two spots in the lineup. We need runners on base for McCutchen.

I agree Marte is no longer working in the leadoff spot, Tabata is up now, and presumably will be plugged into the leadoff spot. Whether he is a better option for the rest of the season or not, I don't know.

Snider is an option at #2, as is Walker, but the leadoff spot will still be trouble. Presley and Tabata both tanking this year is a killer.

 

[magnumo]

I agree Marte is no longer working in the leadoff spot, Tabata is up now, and presumably will be plugged into the leadoff spot. Whether he is a better option for the rest of the season or not, I don't know.

Snider is an option at #2, as is Walker, but the leadoff spot will still be trouble. Presley and Tabata both tanking this year is a killer.

Hey, element..... neither the Pirates' page at ESPN.com nor the one at MLB.com is showing Tabata being recalled. So, a couple of questions:

- What's your source?

- Who got shipped out or put on the DL to make room for Tabata?

 

[element1286]

Hey, element..... neither the Pirates' page at ESPN.com nor the one at MLB.com is showing Tabata being recalled. So, a couple of questions:

- What's your source?

- Who got shipped out or put on the DL to make room for Tabata?

Seems like there is still some confusion as to what the corresponding move is, and that might be what is delaying an official Tabata announcement.

Jose Tabata With Pirates, Jordy Mercer On Paternity Leave, Starling Marte Unavailable - Bucs Dugout

 

[dare2be]

Pregame show confirmed it.

 

[Illinest]

I say let Marte bat first. I am aware of the standard and the saber arguments but in our lineup I don't think it matters all that much.
I firmly believe that Walker should be at 2, McC can stay at 3.
Jones should be fourth most of the time, Sanchez (for lack of other options) on the rest days.
Then you can fill in with Snider, Alvarez, SS and C as you wish.

Alvarez is still somehow hanging around respectable but I wish he'd get hot again. Maybe someday? I like Snider but I don't see him as a .318 hitter and most of his value since he's joined us has been tied up in that batting average. Hopefully the singles lead to doubles and homeruns but there's still time for that. In the meantime I think 6th or 7th is what he's worth.