OnlyBucs

For the first time this spring it appears the likely starting roster has taken the field. The batting order may still be tweaked, and Diaz might be replaced by Cervelli, but this could be the standard to start the season.



J. Harrison 2B

J. Mercer SS

G. Polanco RF

J. Bell 1B

S. Marte CF

C. Dickerson LF

C. Moran 3B

E. Diaz C

J. Taillon P



And through 4 innings, it has been a good start today with Dickerson hitting a 3-run triple, and Bell (2nd), Diaz (3rd), and Polanco (3rd) all hitting homers.

That's actually a not-horrible lineup

And Taillon had a nice 5 inning start 1 hit, 1 run, 1 earned run, 2 BB, 5 Ks.



Wonder how many pitches he took to do all that?

090E223523400 wrote: For the first time this spring it appears the likely starting roster has taken the field.  The batting order may still be tweaked,  and Diaz might be replaced by Cervelli, but this could be the standard to start the season.



J. Harrison 2B   

J. Mercer SS   

G. Polanco RF   

J. Bell 1B   

S. Marte CF   

C. Dickerson LF   

C. Moran 3B   

E. Diaz C   

J. Taillon P   



And through 4 innings, it has been a good start today with Dickerson hitting a 3-run triple, and Bell (2nd), Diaz (3rd), and Polanco (3rd) all hitting homers. 




Diaz should be the everyday catcher. I’d like to see Diaz start 2/3 of the games. I think he’s far superior to Cervelli defensively, and not so far inferior to offset what he brings with his glove and arm.

I'd flip Polanco and Dickerson.

I think that's a sub-optimal lineup regardless of handedness. Mercer should never be anywhere but 8th or 7th vs RHP.



If RHP, I would go:



G.Polanco  RF

J. Harrison 2b

C.Dickerson LF

J. Bell 1B   

S. Marte CF     

C. Moran 3B   

E. Diaz C   

J. Mercer ss

J. Taillon

4F464E5F512B0 wrote: I think that's a sub-optimal lineup regardless of handedness.    Mercer should never be anywhere but 8th or 7th vs RHP.   



If RHP, I would go:



G.Polanco  RF

J. Harrison 2b

C.Dickerson LF

J. Bell 1B   

S. Marte CF      

C. Moran 3B   

E. Diaz C   

J. Mercer ss

J. Taillon


I see what you're doing there, dmetz, but I'll offer this alternative, also vs. RHSP:

JHay, 2b

Dickerson, LF

Marte, cf

Bell, 1b

Polanco, rf

Cervelli, c

Moran, 3b

Mercer, ss



vs. LHSP:

jHay, 2b

Freese, 3b

Marte, cf

Bell, 1b

Brentz, lf or rf

Cervelli, c

Dickerson,lf or Polanco, rf

Mercer, ss



I like Brentz in for Polanco at home and in for Dickerson on the road. Keep in mind, Brentz could easily lose his job to SRod.



Peace out.

"Josh [Harrison] looked at me in the first inning, and he was like, 'Look around, dude. This is a good lineup!'" Bell said. "You saw it in the first three innings. We were rolling. It was fun."

062C27172036363A550 wrote: I think that's a sub-optimal lineup regardless of handedness.    Mercer should never be anywhere but 8th or 7th vs RHP.   



If RHP, I would go:



G.Polanco  RF

J. Harrison 2b

C.Dickerson LF

J. Bell 1B   

S. Marte CF      

C. Moran 3B   

E. Diaz C   

J. Mercer ss

J. Taillon


I see what you're doing there, dmetz, but I'll offer this alternative, also vs. RHSP:

JHay, 2b

Dickerson, LF

Marte, cf

Bell, 1b

Polanco, rf

Cervelli, c

Moran, 3b

Mercer, ss



vs. LHSP:

jHay, 2b

Freese, 3b

Marte, cf

Bell, 1b

Brentz, lf or rf

Cervelli, c

Dickerson,lf or Polanco, rf

Mercer, ss



I like Brentz in for Polanco at home and in for Dickerson on the road. Keep in mind, Brentz could easily lose his job to SRod.



Peace out.


Like your LHP lineup. RHP, JHays a .320 obp and Dickerson's a .330 OBP. IMO, that lineup would be stronger with a better leadoff hitter. I like JHay as a 2 vs RHP as he hits to all fields, has speed and hustles and still drives the ball enough. I don't like him as a leadoff. Oh well

More please. Yesterday I checked the box score in the 4th and the Bucs were up 8-1. Just checked in today and we are up 12-1 after 4. And an entirely different nine in the lineup than yesterday.



Can't wait for tomorrow.