Quote:
Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry
Of course you are right about the history. I'm not a "the analytics are always right" person, but there's a reason most teams now bat their big boppers higher in the order. (More teams tend to put them 2nd now)
That said, Roberts had Ohtani 2nd behind Betts for a long time, but then moved Ohtani up when Betts was out. It seemed to work, so he left him there. I think L vs R has a lot to do with it too—against Righties, Ohtani leading off lets you go Betts/Freeman/Smith after that (or put even more lefties higher in the order, if desired).
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I think it's more a case of the team is so good they get away with not maximizing than it "works." 55 HR only 102 RBI to me spells waste, and that includes as you say a long stretch where he batted 2nd not 1st.
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Last edited by Peter_Spaeth; 10-18-2025 at 01:03 PM.
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