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What does the term "American League Lineup" mean?
by Dave
Photo Bill Stanton: Checkswing.com
Dave asked: I heard the term used to describe the St Louis Cardinals batting order. The National League managers have to consider the pitcher's spot in the order and it is a factor to be considered, as when you pinch hit for the pitcher, he is no longer in the game, you have to put in another pitcher. National League teams, if the situation is right, will pitch around hitters that come up before the pitcher, so they can increase their odds of an out by pitching to the pitcher, or forcing the manager to decide whether to take the pitcher out or not. This area of the game creates a lot of strategical situations. There are teams in the American League who are compared to National league teams, as they will bunt, hit and run and do other "small ball" types of things, even with the DH. The Angels are a team which leans somewhat to a National League style, even though they are in the American League. The reference to the Cardinals may be in the amount of power they have throughout their lineup, where they might rely less on manufacturing runs than letting their hitters hit and see what happens. I have not seen them play much this year under their new manager; but that may be their style of play with the talents they have put together. Yours in baseball, Rick |
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