Lillian
04-19-2010, 06:42 AM
Could the biggest problem with this offense be the absence of a potent left handed bat? The need for a left handed hitter has been discussed at length, especially during the process of putting the roster together.
Now that the season has started so poorly for the Sox, and considering that the offense is struggling so badly, it may be time to revisit the issue.
There are several reasons why the lack of a left handed presence in the batting order may be a very significant problem. The following is a reminder of some of the advantages of having a left handed hitting presence in the lineup:
1) Opposing pitchers are more easily able to get comfortable pitching to so many batters who hit from the same side of the plate.
2) If most hitters are indeed better facing pitchers who throw from the opposite side that they hit, then left handed hitters have the advantage because most pitchers are right handed.
3) The hit and run is more easily executed with a left handed hitter at the plate. His natural swing takes the ball to the right side of the field, therefore he doesn't need to go the opposite way.
4) Left handed hitters are closer to first base, and are headed in that direction with the natural follow through of their swing.
5) Since most catchers throw right handed, a left handed hitter creates an obstacle for catchers trying to throw out base runners attempting to steal second.
6) Psychologically, opposing right handed pitchers feel more comfortable facing right handed hitters. They feel that they are better able to intimidate them.
7) Opposing managers do not have to burn through their bullpens switching back and forth between righties and lefties as they attempt to match up opposing lineups in the late innings.
The Twins are as heavily weighted toward left handed hitters as the Sox are toward right handed hitters. Their superior results are obviously due to a lot more than which side of the plate from which they hit, but having too many lefties in the lineup doesn't seem to disadvantage them in the least.
These are just a few factors, but maybe this team does indeed need at least one potent left handed bat in the lineup.
This problem will not be easily solved in that there is no player in the entire organization with the potential to fill the left handed hitting void, any time soon.
Now that the season has started so poorly for the Sox, and considering that the offense is struggling so badly, it may be time to revisit the issue.
There are several reasons why the lack of a left handed presence in the batting order may be a very significant problem. The following is a reminder of some of the advantages of having a left handed hitting presence in the lineup:
1) Opposing pitchers are more easily able to get comfortable pitching to so many batters who hit from the same side of the plate.
2) If most hitters are indeed better facing pitchers who throw from the opposite side that they hit, then left handed hitters have the advantage because most pitchers are right handed.
3) The hit and run is more easily executed with a left handed hitter at the plate. His natural swing takes the ball to the right side of the field, therefore he doesn't need to go the opposite way.
4) Left handed hitters are closer to first base, and are headed in that direction with the natural follow through of their swing.
5) Since most catchers throw right handed, a left handed hitter creates an obstacle for catchers trying to throw out base runners attempting to steal second.
6) Psychologically, opposing right handed pitchers feel more comfortable facing right handed hitters. They feel that they are better able to intimidate them.
7) Opposing managers do not have to burn through their bullpens switching back and forth between righties and lefties as they attempt to match up opposing lineups in the late innings.
The Twins are as heavily weighted toward left handed hitters as the Sox are toward right handed hitters. Their superior results are obviously due to a lot more than which side of the plate from which they hit, but having too many lefties in the lineup doesn't seem to disadvantage them in the least.
These are just a few factors, but maybe this team does indeed need at least one potent left handed bat in the lineup.
This problem will not be easily solved in that there is no player in the entire organization with the potential to fill the left handed hitting void, any time soon.