8/20 Line Up

by NittanyAlum02 on Aug 20, 2009 5:38 PM EDT

All: The line-up has been posted for tonights game:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Victor Martinez, C
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. Jason Bay, LF
6. David Ortiz, DH
7. Mike Lowell, 3B
8. J.D. Drew, RF
9. Alex Gonzalez, SS
-- Jon Lester, SP

Aside from the number 9 slot (which I know we all would love a better short stop but we really don't have a choice), are there any complaints? Personally, I am happy to see that we have an actual major league team taking the field tonight.

My question for everyone, is this not the best line-up the Sox have featured all year? I would think it has to be. Just curious of everyone's thoughts. Go Sox!

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first off nittanyalum, go penn state! haha

secondly, i can’t be more excited bc this is by FAR the best lineup the Sox have put out all year.

As far as Gonzo goes, I really think people underappreciate him – with major injuries to his leg over the past few years, in my opinion he’s one of, if not the best defensive SS in the game. I love Nick Green, but he’s not an everyday shortstop, Gonzo is.

In a week, Gonzo should play 5 of the 7 games, while Green will still get his shot. If u remember, Green’s best ball this year has been when Lowrie and Lugo were breathing down his neck, so Theo did an excellent job gettin Gonzo to compete/share SS in a very fair platoon role.

by zabosox33 on Aug 20, 2009 6:46 PM EDT reply actions

Green's best ball was played while Lowrie was still a month+ away.

And while Gonzo is an above average shortstop defensively, he hasn’t really been great since he was last with us in ‘06. Plus he’s an offensive black hole, though tonight hopefully it’s not as noticeable with everyone else we’ve got going.

by Ben Buchanan on Aug 20, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions

And he manages hot streaks of singles and pulled doubles.

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation

by bdalebs on Aug 20, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Green/Lowrie

I agree, but I meant that as even when Lowrie was a month away, all the talk was about how he would push his way into the SS rotation, and we’ve seen how that ended up.

I disagree that he’s an “offensive black hole”.. he’s been doing alot of things right at the plate (his bunt in the 8th on wednesday night, his 2 hits yesterday, getting runners on/over)

remember, he is our worst hitter in our starting 9 by far, but I really don’t care if he hits .210 the rest of the year, bc i dont think he will (he hit .255 for us in 06, i know, i know, 3 years ago).. the runs he’ll save at SS will help this team more than his hitting.

by zabosox33 on Aug 20, 2009 7:03 PM EDT reply actions

Zabo, reply button please.

Makes threads easier to follow.

And try not to base your opinions of players off small sample sizes such as a week of games. Green’s produced more runs offensively (check the wOBA for him vs. Gonzo) and has saved more defensively as well (UZR’s).

Only issue with this lineup is JD being 8th. And I’d love to see Lowrie in the 9 spot when he returns – would set the table nicely with his doubles proficiency.

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation

by bdalebs on Aug 20, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions

gonzo tonight

I dont feel as though I’m basing my opinions on a small sample size.. we all got to see gonzo play in ‘06, and now we’re getting another look at his amazing glove again.

I understand that there are stats out there showing that nick green is a better defensive shortshop bc of his production on the offensive side, but if you really believe that he is overall better than Gonzo, there’s something wrong. There’s no shot that Green even comes close to making some of the plays Gonzo made tonight. He is definitely going to make Lowell, Pedroia better defensively.

by zabosox33 on Aug 21, 2009 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions

He also suffered major injuries since 2006 that have shot his range to the point where he's average.

Ahem:
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=520&position=SS#value
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1502&position=2B#value
Most of Green’s fielding value from SS was lost while at 2B.

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation

by bdalebs on Aug 21, 2009 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

fangraphs

i’m not trying to start any type of arguement, but by providing this information you really didn’t answer my question. Do you think Nick Green is better defensively than Alex Gonzalez?

I understand what fangraphs says, but just watching the games or being in person for them, you can just see the difference Gonzo is making out there. Everything is being caught haha.

by zabosox33 on Aug 21, 2009 3:16 AM EDT up reply actions

You are basing your opinion on a small sample size

Unless you watched a lot of Reds games this year. What Gonzo did in 2006 has bearing on what he has done this year. He isn’t the same player.

As for everything being caught, that’s not true. There have been hits that have gone through the left side of the IF with Gonzo playing SS.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Aug 21, 2009 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Although, looking at his UZR now, he's apparently been playing really well.

Or Green’s been playing badly of late – I could’ve sworn Green was at least 2 runs more valuable so far the last time I checked.

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation

by bdalebs on Aug 21, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Okay, I'll explain it:

Nick Green has saved us 3.1 runs in his time at short, which is equal to 4.9 runs in 150 games (UZR/150). Gonzo has saved the Reds and us a combined 3.1 runs, in less playing time, and he is on pace to save 5.8 runs in 150 games. So, yes, at this point, Gonzo appears to be a better fielder.
The problem Gonzo has is that he’s cost his teams 10 more runs on offense than Green has, and has played less. So, overall, Green is a better player.

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation

by bdalebs on Aug 21, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

JD 8th?

Where would you put him? Just out of curiosity. Granted I don’t think a #8 hitter should make 14 mil a year, but he doesn’t seem to thrive in the 1 spot and Ellsbury has been playing pretty well from there lately. I am not as sophisticated (read: UZR chaser) statistically as you are so there is a pretty good chance you have solid reasoning for your claim, I’m just wondering where you think he fits.

We are not normal. We are legends.

by NittanyAlum02 on Aug 21, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions