Rays' Best Lineup?

by ZBW on May 18, 2010 3:40 PM EDT

Joe Maddon switches up the lineup a lot. Personally, I like that (for many reasons), but others might be confused or bothered by it. Regardless, there are times when the Rays want/need to put their BEST lineup out there. The following lineups are what I (currently) think are the Rays' best lineups vs. RHP and vs. LHP:

vs. RHP:

1. Ben Zobrist - RF
2. Carl Crawford - LF
3. Evan Longoria - 3B
4. Carlos Pena - 1B
5. Hank Blalock - DH
6. Reid Brignac - 2B
7. John Jaso - C
8. B.J. Upton - CF
9. Jason Bartlett - SS

vs. LHP:

1. Ben Zobrist - 2B
2. Carl Crawford - LF
3. Evan Longoria - 3B
4. Carlos Pena - 1B
5. Willy Aybar - DH
6. Gabe Kapler - RF
7. B.J. Upton - CF
8. Kelly Shoppach - C
9. Jason Bartlett - SS

Navi the Nadie is nowhere to be found, but he would have to take Shoppach's place until Kelly comes back from the DL.

What are your thoughts? What changes would you make?

Poll

Who should be the leadoff hitter for the Rays?

Jason Bartlett

25 votes

Ben Zobrist

44 votes

B.J. Upton

5 votes

Carl Crawford

9 votes

83 votes | Poll has closed

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Navi the Nadie???

The hell’s a Nadie?

by Vin on May 18, 2010 4:41 PM EDT reply actions

this

Free Dan Johnson!

by Sveet on May 18, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

It means "nobody" in Spanish.

by ChiBurbRaysFan on May 19, 2010 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

This is Merica, we speak English here.

Hey, Surly only looks out for one guy...Surly!

by Andy Hellicksonstine on May 19, 2010 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I say Zobrist vs RHP

Bartlett vs LHP

Free Dan Johnson!

by Sveet on May 18, 2010 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

My Lineups

vs. RHP:
1. B.J. Upton – CF
2. Carl Crawford – LF
3. Ben Zobrist – RF
4. Evan Longoria – 3B
5. Carlos Pena – 1B
6. Hank Blalock – DH
7. John Jaso – C
8. Reid Brignac – 2B
9. Jason Bartlett – SS

vs LHP:
1. Jason Bartlett – SS
2. Gabe Kapler – RF
3. Ben Zobrist – 2B
4. Evan Longoria – 3B
5. Kelly Shoppach – C
6. Carlos Pena – 1B
7. Willy Aybar – DH
8. Carl Crawford – LF
9. B.J. Upton – CF

by Navi's_Navy on May 18, 2010 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

Shoppach>Pena?

Shoppach is not that good unless Pena never hits again.

Fuzz

by RZ on May 18, 2010 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Shoppach kills lefties

Pena is the better overall hitter, but give me Shoppach against lefties.

by Navi's_Navy on May 19, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

by the time Shoppach is ready to play again a lot could happen

with injuries, joyce being back, trades.

by Dbullsfan on May 19, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

also, when Joyce gets back I'd play him in RF, moving Zobrist to 2B, and Brignac to SS vs. RH

Joyce would probably bat 8th in that scenario for me, with Brignac moving down to 9th.

by Navi's_Navy on May 19, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

You knew I would make one

For the record, I REALLY wish Joyce was a lefty specialist because he is on the road back and I want him to start

vs LHP

1. Ben Zobrist 2B
2, Carl Crawford LF
3. Evan Longoria 3B
4. Carlos Pena 1B
5. Willy Aybar DH
6. B,J Upton CF
7. Gabe Kapler RF
8. Jason Bartlett SS
9. Kelly Shoppach C

vs RHP

1. Reid Brignac SS
2, Carl CrawfordLF
3. Evan Longoria 3B
4. Carlos Pena 1B
5. Ben Zobrist RF
6. B.J Upton CF
7. Hank Blalock DH
8. John Jaso C
9. Sean Rodriguez 2B

Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!

by joeybw on May 19, 2010 2:33 AM EDT reply actions