GDT: Cleveland Indians @ Your Toronto Blue Jays - Merrit vs. Estrada - 4:07 PM ET

[Olerud363]

What do we do with the lineup today? Lefty on the hill but he might only throw 2 or 3 innings. Miller probably throws 2 today as well. I don't think they have any other lefties. Do we set it up with Upton and Barney in there anyway?

 

I thought they should start Sanchez as DH and pinch hit first time I up, until I realized there is a rule against that. Good question. I don't know.

 

On one hand save Upton for Miller.

 

On the other hand maybe Upton has a better shot against the inexperienced lefty.

 

On the other hand the inexperienced lefty may not even be in the game in the 2nd or 3rd.

[Olerud363]

I'd rather Upton have at least 2-3 at bats against a minor league lefty over 1AB against Miller and keep Saunders on the bench for Allen.

 

I agree.. but is this minor league lefty really going more than once through the order?

[Captain Adama]

Barney > Goins

Upton > Saunders

 

Zeke is a must-play right now.

 

If you're going to say Zeke is a must play (which I agree, ride the hot bat in the playoffs) I would argue Saunders is a must play as well, only Donaldson has been hitting better than him this series.

[Sammy225]

I thought they should start Sanchez as DH and pinch hit first time I up, until I realized there is a rule against that. Good question. I don't know.

 

On one hand save Upton for Miller.

 

On the other hand maybe Upton has a better shot against the inexperienced lefty.

 

On the other hand the inexperienced lefty may not even be in the game in the 2nd or 3rd.

 

I hope he is not in for the 2nd or 3rd that likely means his pinky is bleeding or we roughed him up. You start Upton because you want to get runs early so your not forced to to get runs against the big 3.

[KingKat]

Chasing Merritt early should not be a concern. If you chase him early that's a good thing. Lineup decisions should be made to maximize chances of scoring early. Game planning for Miller is kind of defeatist IMO. What you want to do is turn Miller into a non-factor by jumping to an early and significant lead.

[Dick_Pole]

I'd rather Upton have at least 2-3 at bats against a minor league lefty over 1AB against Miller and keep Saunders on the bench for Allen.

 

Took the words right out of my mouth.

 

The name of the game is to minimize the chances of Miller hurting the Jays. And that is done by maximizing the chance of scoring runs early and often and putting in your most suitable line up to start. Worry about the 7th inning at 6pm if needed. Not now.

[Governator]

I agree.. but is this minor league lefty really going more than once through the order?

 

 

I don't know, hard to say but I'd still rather Upton in early as it seems like a +EV decision. It's also a pretty bold move to risk running through your entire bullpen a 2nd time in 3 days.

[Dr. Dinger]

Took the words right out of my mouth.

 

The name of the game is to minimize the chances of Miller hurting the Jays. And that is done by maximizing the chance of scoring runs early and often and putting in your most suitable line up to start. Worry about the 7th inning at 6pm if needed. Not now.

 

Exactly. If Upton gives us the better chance to score early off an average lefty, you start him. If we are in a situation where we need to score off Andrew Miller, we're already dead and buried.

[candymartinez]

The benefit of a Carerra, Upton, Pillar defensive would be pretty nice too. Hate seeing Bautista and Saunders out there.

[HERPDERP]

Lets hope Martin is pushed farther down. Saunders/Carrera should be higher than him.

[HERPDERP]

welp

 

[Dr. Dinger]

Lets hope Martin is pushed farther down. Saunders/Carrera should be higher than him.

 

Can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd probably move Carrera back to leadoff and drop Bautista down to 4/5. Carrera sux but he's seeing the ball well and spraying line drives right now.

[Governator]

welp

 

 

 

At least he got the right players in the game but why is Upton DHing and not Bautista.. ugh

[Dr. Dinger]

Why is Upton DHing and Bautista playing RF? I get that Upton will probably only play a few innings, but I'd still rather have him start in the OF even if Saunders is coming in mid-game. Bautista is no better than Saunders defensively (ie they both suck).

[Governator]

Why is Upton DHing and Bautista playing RF? I get that Upton will probably only play a few innings, but I'd still rather have him start in the OF even if Saunders is coming in mid-game. Bautista is no better than Saunders defensively (ie they both suck).

 

Just noticed that too, terrible.

[HERPDERP]

Why is Upton DHing and Bautista playing RF? I get that Upton will probably only play a few innings, but I'd still rather have him start in the OF even if Saunders is coming in mid-game. Bautista is no better than Saunders defensively (ie they both suck).

 

probably 'gut'

[Sammy225]

Upton is the DH over Bautista ........

 

 

http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/jonah_the-f.gif

[Jonovision]

Dome is closed today, only reason I can see is that the jays are 34-17 or so with it opened.

[Dr. Dinger]

Dome is closed today, only reason I can see is that the jays are 34-17 or so with it opened.

 

What the hell? It's sunny and 16-17 c. There's no reason not to have it open today.

[Governator]

Dome is closed today, only reason I can see is that the jays are 34-17 or so with it opened.

 

Apparently MLB wants the environment consistent all postseason or something, at least that's what my friend told me who is drunk about 50% of the day so grain of salt.

[Dick_Pole]

70% chance of showers overnight. Maybe they are planning on extra innings.

[Governator]

70% chance of showers overnight. Maybe they are planning on extra innings.

 

Pretty sure there is a button for that.

[G-Snarls]

Josh Donaldson is ridiculously awesome

[burlingtonbandit]

Why is Upton DHing and Bautista playing RF? I get that Upton will probably only play a few innings, but I'd still rather have him start in the OF even if Saunders is coming in mid-game. Bautista is no better than Saunders defensively (ie they both suck).

 

Bautista is better than Saunders. Saunders lets everything drop in front of him.

[BlueRocky]

At least he got the right players in the game but why is Upton DHing and not Bautista.. ugh

 

Most likely so the DH spot becomes a revolving door for pinch hitters

[burlingtonbandit]

Apparently after Saunders PH for Upton NAvarro will be PHing when Miller comes in.

[Yorkshire Blue Jay]

Once again a shocking decision to play indoor baseball by MLB, especially given that the forecast high in Cleveland for Friday and Saturday is 12 degrees.

 

All set for an afternoon in the dome or the usual oven when the temps are high outside.

[TRM]

Apparently after Saunders PH for Upton NAvarro will be PHing when Miller comes in.

 

If that's their logic, I think it's a mistake.

I think you are probably better off just leaving Upton in for one AB against "Generic Righty Middle Reliever" to save him for the possibility of seeing Miller in innings 6-9. The caveat being the leverage isn't off the charts in said theoretical at bat, however if that was the case it would probably be Miller anyway.

 

This is a long winded way of saying that I think Bautista should be DH and Upton in the OF, especially because Pompey is available as a defensive option late if need be.

[TRM]

Gibby got the right nine in pretty close to what I would describe as the right order, just blew the DH choice.

 

I would have gone

 

JB

JD

EE

Tulo

Upton

Martin

Zeke

Pillar

Barney

 

Could have lived with Zeke at the top and flipping Barney and Pillar

[Terminator]

Why is Upton DHing and Bautista playing RF? I get that Upton will probably only play a few innings, but I'd still rather have him start in the OF even if Saunders is coming in mid-game. Bautista is no better than Saunders defensively (ie they both suck).

 

I guess it's due to pinch hitting but man that could completely bite the Jays in the ass if Bautista f***s something up in the OF. Estrada is a flyball pitcher too.