Lets guess tonight's opening night lineup in Seattle.
Duran LF
Devers 3B
Story SS
Casas 1B
O'Neill RF
Yoshida DH
Wong C
Valdez 2B
Rafaela CF
Duran LF
Devers 3B
Story SS
Casas 1B
O'Neill RF
Yoshida DH
Wong C
Valdez 2B
Rafaela CF
Lineup Predictions
- Thread starter Cassvt2023
- Start date
I'd just chime in here that it would be good to keep this thread focused on day to day stuff that doesn't really have a specific thread to fit into. We all know that Megathreads can swallow some really good specific discussions (and they're evil incarnate) so a thread like this has usefullness, but only if kept specific itself.
Or what Sprowl said,
Or what Sprowl said,
thumbs up. Not sure where this belongs, so Ill just put it here. Tyler O'Neill has hit a HR in 4 straight opening days.I'd just chime in here that it would be good to keep this thread focused on day to day stuff that doesn't really have a specific thread to fit into. We all know that Megathreads can swallow some really good specific discussions (and they're evil incarnate) so a thread like this has usefullness, but only if kept specific itself.
Or what Sprowl said,
FWIW, although things can get lost there as well, the daily 2024 Game Threads are underway: https://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?threads/3-28-24-opening-day-2024-red-sox-at-mariners.42177/
It's an exciting opportunity for lurk. . .er. . .New Members to learn all about BABIP.
My lineup prediction was very close. Rafaela 7th and Wong 9th, I had them flipped. I figured Cora would want to put the kid in the 9 hole, hitting in front of Duran in the lead off spot. Go Sox!
You've got to think Cora will stick with the hot hand and probably better defender in O'Neill again tonight, even though it is another tough RHP in Kirby, yeah?
Yeah, I would think O’Neill is basically an every day player, no? Barring an injury, I think Abreu’s only path to significant at bats is Rafaela struggling or getting more time at 2b.
Now that all the regulars are injured, predicting the lineup is a little less challenging. After all, there are only so many healthy players on the active roster. Who is left for the last game against the Pirates against old friend LHP Martin Perez? I predict:
1. CF Duran
2. RF Refsnyder
3. LF Abreu
4. C Wong
5. DH Masataka
6. 1B Dalbec
7. 2B Valdez
8. 3B Reyes
9. SS Rafaela
1. CF Duran
2. RF Refsnyder
3. LF Abreu
4. C Wong
5. DH Masataka
6. 1B Dalbec
7. 2B Valdez
8. 3B Reyes
9. SS Rafaela
I'm going to guess McGuire starts at C so Wong is available to fill in at both C and 2B. Can't risk Wong getting dinged up early.
If there's a third catcher, it probably means Wong is getting a shot at first. It's really hard to score runs with both Reyes and Dalbec in the lineup.
If O’Neill is okay, they’ve got to get him in.
Yoshida has started to, like Peter Frampton, come alive: .921 over the past 7 games. He’s moved his swing down just enough that he’s not rolling over the top of the ball it seems.
Abreu has looked better- .940 OPS over past 7.
Yoshida has started to, like Peter Frampton, come alive: .921 over the past 7 games. He’s moved his swing down just enough that he’s not rolling over the top of the ball it seems.
Abreu has looked better- .940 OPS over past 7.
Wong last played 1B in the Cape Cod League (2015). On the other hand, Tyler Heineman has 5 games (33 innings) worth of minor league experience at 1B, most recently in 2019. I suppose either could be an option.
With a LHP starting, you‘ve got to think it’s Dalbec at 1B and Reyes at 3B, and Wong at C, Rafaela SS.
Catcher to first base is a natural transition for a lot of players. Mike Napoli didn't play first until he was 28 in his 5th year in the majors and he wasn't nearly the athlete Wong is. With Casas on the IL, you have to roll the dice on someone.
I'd guess so. Use Heineman for a PH if needed, sub as appropriate, then put Kadvas or another on the 40 man.
Did Yoshida die? I'm seeing this lineup:
1. Ceddanne Rafaela SS
2. Jarren Duran CF
3. Rob Refsnyder RF
4. Wilyer Abreu LF
5. Connor Wong C
6. Bobby Dalbec 3B
7. Pablo Reyes 1B
8. Tyler Heineman DH
9. Enmanuel Valdez 2B
1. Ceddanne Rafaela SS
2. Jarren Duran CF
3. Rob Refsnyder RF
4. Wilyer Abreu LF
5. Connor Wong C
6. Bobby Dalbec 3B
7. Pablo Reyes 1B
8. Tyler Heineman DH
9. Enmanuel Valdez 2B
Getting every RHH in the lineup with the LH starting. The bench today is entirely LHH (Hamilton, Yoshida, McGuire, Devers).
edit to add: I bet Yoshida pinch hits as soon as Perez is out of the game.
First priority is winning games today. Second is long term strategy. Somewhere down the line is worrying about the bench
Just throwing this out here.....Yoshida played 1st base his last year oh HS. I have no stats on that but I know he can catch balls thrown to him. Can he dig them out or get to grounders.....well.....only one way to find out. I wonder if he's mentioned to anyone.
I'm sure the organization is aware that he played the position in high school. There's been little reason to even consider playing Yoshida at 1B to this point though. Wouldn't shock me if Casas' injury puts the idea on their radar, but it's probably still way down on the list of possibilities behind signing a free agent, making a trade, or calling up someone like Kavadas. Playing Masa at 1B opens up the DH spot, and at present they don't really have a great alternative there either.
Having a 5’8” guy play, what is on average, the tallest position on the diamond seems less than ideal.
Geez, I made the Yoshida to 1B comment as a bad joke regarding the Hickey idea of him learning 1B. Definitely not a good idea... but I'm more puzzled honestly why bat first OF types (thinking of JD Martinez) don't start working out at 1B on their own as a way to make themselves more marketable?
But it is looking like O'Neill will be back in the lineup against Cleveland tomorrow so could we see Refsnyder at 1B? Wasn't he taking a lot of turns there in ST? If he can handle that and Devers is back in a few days... Grissom returns..... the lineup would be pretty solid again- especially with Abreu and Yoshida starting to hit again.
But it is looking like O'Neill will be back in the lineup against Cleveland tomorrow so could we see Refsnyder at 1B? Wasn't he taking a lot of turns there in ST? If he can handle that and Devers is back in a few days... Grissom returns..... the lineup would be pretty solid again- especially with Abreu and Yoshida starting to hit again.
You'd have to think that another roster move is coming before Tuesday's game. I can't envision them continuing to carry 3 catchers if none of them can also play 1B. I can see Heineman going back down and calling up Kavadas, moving someone else to the 60 day IL to get him on the 40 man. This way Cora can just go with the matchups or hot hand between Ref, Bobby D, Kavadas and maybe Reyes there.