August 31, 200421 yr I don't know if this would work but I would like to see Joe Borchard hit in the #2 hole for the rest of the year. I know his speed isn't that good, but I'd like to see him have protection in the lineup with Konerko and Lee(when he gets back) This way Borchard can get some fastballs to hit and maybe hit some into the stands some more. Its a lot better then having Ben Davis and Joe Crede as protection.
August 31, 200421 yr I don't know if this would work but I would like to see Joe Borchard hit in the #2 hole for the rest of the year. I know his speed isn't that good, but I'd like to see him have protection in the lineup with Konerko and Lee(when he gets back) This way Borchard can get some fastballs to hit and maybe hit some into the stands some more. Its a lot better then having Ben Davis and Joe Crede as protection. No way you can have a #2 hitter who K's 3 out of 4 times usually every game. I think Borch is where he needs to be down lower in the order.
August 31, 200421 yr Author If he knows he's gonna get a lot of fastballs, then he should be ready and able to catch up to them. Also, you cannot have a guy who can hit a ball 504 ft. batting in the 7 or 8 hole. How much sense does that make?
August 31, 200421 yr the thing is Borchard see a lot of pitches at the same time. it's something I'd consider.
August 31, 200421 yr If he knows he's gonna get a lot of fastballs, then he should be ready and able to catch up to them. Also, you cannot have a guy who can hit a ball 504 ft. batting in the 7 or 8 hole. How much sense does that make? When he's hitting under the Mendoza Line, it makes plenty of sense.
August 31, 200421 yr Isnt it funny how the guy K'ed 3 times, like always, but instead of grounding out, he hit a monster HR like we all know he can from time to time. All the sudden he can hit in the 2 hole???? :headshake Good Times. Ain't that the truth.
August 31, 200421 yr Also, you cannot have a guy who can hit a ball 504 ft. batting in the 7 or 8 hole. How much sense does that make? Sorry if this offends you, but that's the dumbest thing I've read in a long time...
August 31, 200421 yr Sorry if this offends you, but that's the dumbest thing I've read in a long time... If he would have hit two home runs today someone would have most likely suggested that he bat third for the rest of the season.
August 31, 200421 yr Sniff...Sniff, Sniff....i smell something.....sniff sniff..sniff.....no.....sniff....NERDS!!!!!
August 31, 200421 yr Sniff...Sniff, Sniff....i smell something.....sniff sniff..sniff.....no.....sniff....NERDS!!!!! Huh?
August 31, 200421 yr Hey whatever happened to the post per day thing.......now i have to do math in order to see how many hours ya'll spend on these boards.
August 31, 200421 yr It's not a bad idea but like what everyone else is saying, he strikes out too many times. I wouldn't mind giving him a couple of shots there though.
August 31, 200421 yr Isnt it funny how the guy K'ed 3 times, like always, but instead of grounding out, he hit a monster HR like we all know he can from time to time. All the sudden he can hit in the 2 hole???? :headshake Good Times. I don't understand how people can post on this board all day long saying how the Sox are out of it, and then something like this is proposed and we won't consider it because, basically, it won't help us win. throwing Borchard in the two hole wouldn't be done for the purpose of making this lineup better, but for the purpose of getting him at bats and putting him in the easiest spot in the batting order.
August 31, 200421 yr If he would have hit two home runs today someone would have most likely suggested that he bat third for the rest of the season. Borchard could've gone 0-5 with five Ks today and the idea of him batting second would still be an idea worth considering. since we're out of it as many here have stated, the lineup should be this for the rest of the way: Harris, 2B Borchard, RF Lee, DH/LF Konerko, 1B/DH Gload, LF/1B Rowand, CF Uribe, SS Davis, C Crede, 3B there is absolutely nothing to lose in doing this ... outside of games, which is pretty moot at this point.
August 31, 200421 yr Sorry Mario, I just disagree with having Joe Borchard hit #2 in are Batting Order every day. I know where out of it, trust me, but I jut cant seem to agree with puting a .175 power hitting AAAA in the 2 hole. Cant Justify it. I agree, over the course of the next month having him bat in the two hole compared to 6th or 7th does not give him that many more at-bats. 10-20. Maybe.
August 31, 200421 yr The purpose of putting him in the 2 hole is because in the 2 hole he should get better pitches to hit, which in most cases is true. But like my last post said, still cant justify a 175 hitter in the 2 hole. I know that a two hitter is suppose to get better pitches to hit. I was just adding that it the 10-20 extra at-bats will not help much. Imo anyway.
August 31, 200421 yr yeah, but your basis is that he hasn't earned it, put up the numbers, or is the typical #2 hole player, which is completely understandable. but, as you said, the point would be to get him better pitches to hit. now, from a lineup situation it makes sense too. whenever you have a lineup like the Sox have now (one where you only have a few legitimate threats within it) you want to spread it out, if possible, which means throwing a weaker hitter in the two-hole with the hopes of putting him in the best situation to suceed. that is one of the goals of a manager, putting his players in the best situations to succeed, unless the move hurts the team. this would likely hurt the Sox, but at 7.5 out with a month left and no momentum, nothing to lose. Borchard obviously hasn't succeded batting in the middle or end of the lineup ... try him up near the top, even if only for a few games.
August 31, 200421 yr I know that a two hitter is suppose to get better pitches to hit. I was just adding that it the 10-20 extra at-bats will not help much. Imo anyway. 10-20 at bats would be 10% to 20% than what he has now (100) and would help him get to about 200 at bats by season's end, double what he has right now. it's a good amount.
August 31, 200421 yr yeah, but your basis is that he hasn't earned it, put up the numbers, or is the typical #2 hole player, which is completely understandable. but, as you said, the point would be to get him better pitches to hit. now, from a lineup situation it makes sense too. whenever you have a lineup like the Sox have now (one where you only have a few legitimate threats within it) you want to spread it out, if possible, which means throwing a weaker hitter in the two-hole with the hopes of putting him in the best situation to suceed. that is one of the goals of a manager, putting his players in the best situations to succeed, unless the move hurts the team. this would likely hurt the Sox, but at 7.5 out with a month left and no momentum, nothing to lose. Borchard obviously hasn't succeded batting in the middle or end of the lineup ... try him up near the top, even if only for a few games. I guess, why not experiment. Can't hurt.
August 31, 200421 yr Hey whatever happened to the post per day thing.......now i have to do math in order to see how many hours ya'll spend on these boards. Pot calling the kettle black? You're calling us nerds, yet you're posting here? Get a life... rolleyeyes.gif (Mods - Give me a PM if this is out of line. I don't like someone calling anyone on this board a 'nerd', well - seriously at least...)
August 31, 200421 yr but, as you said, the point would be to get him better pitches to hit. Better pitches to hit is not the same as batting practice pitches to hit. Batting 2nd or 8th won't make that much difference unless he starts seeing the rotation earlier and timing the ball better. Damn, does he ever look stiff.
August 31, 200421 yr Author Look at Carlos Lee last year. In the early months of the season, Lee was terrible, i think he was hitting about .230 or .240. When Jeery M put him in the 2 hole, Lee went on fire. His power #'s and his average sky-rocketed, leading him to a career year. Now granted, Borchard doesn't have the speed that Lee has, but who cares. We are out of it anyway, so does it matter whether we have the best lineup possible. Ozzie has to satrt experimenting on this team for next year. Right now, Borchard is in the 7 or 8 hole, surrounded by Ben Davis and Joe Crede. i think it might be easier to be surrounded by Willie Harris, Carlos Lee, and Paul Knoerko. Maybe he gets more fastballs and puts them into the stands, you never know, so why not try.
August 31, 200421 yr Look at Carlos Lee last year. In the early months of the season, Lee was terrible, i think he was hitting about .230 or .240. When Jeery M put him in the 2 hole, Lee went on fire. Maybe he gets more fastballs and puts them into the stands, you never know, so why not try. Difference between borchard and carlos lee... Carlos batted 300 as a rook with no protection... The reason I wouldn't put Borchard #2 is that's a spot that he's never going to play. Any increase in his numbers would immediately disappear when he's subsequently dropped in the order...
August 31, 200421 yr Author If he is moderatly successful this year in the 2-hole, then why wouldn't you put him there next year to start the season?
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