18 Philadelphia Phillies (Pivetta) @ Chicago Cubs (Chatwood)

Lawman 2018-06-08 19:53:42 UTC #121

I'm aware of the reasons. All I'm saying is that getting on base is great, but if they don't get those guys home then who cares if they're getting on base?

If a high OBP doesn't equal high total of RS, then is the high OBP worth anything?

andyb 2018-06-08 20:03:39 UTC #122

But for 99% of hitters clutch hitting has been proven to be random. So if runners get on base, eventually they will score at typical rates. One game is mix of luck (getting on base) and bad luck (getting them home). If we consistently get runners on base we will score plenty or runs. Our problem in recent weeks, especially after Hoskins slumped and got hurt is that we are not getting runners on base.

Kingery is not a number 3 hitter at this point in his career. Altherr and Williams have been inconsistent. Franco and Alfaro are never going to have a high OBP. This lineup is just struggling to get on base. It is a good reason to give Crawford an extended chance and maybe even put him in the #2 hole in the lineup (Hernandez, Crawford, Herrera, Santana, Altherr, Williams).

schillingfan 2018-06-08 20:17:24 UTC #123

I think the question is whether a disproportionate number of our base runners are not scoring. A walk has a less likelihood of bringing in a run than a single or a double. (Obviously) OTOH a walk puts you on base and isn't an out and increases your likelihood of scoring. I suspect that if we keep not hitting we're not going to walk either as pitchers won't pitch to us. So as long as the OBP is significantly higher than the BA I'll chalk it up to youth. Otherwise our youngsters are overrated.

zambonir 2018-06-08 21:11:50 UTC #124

The team definitely needs more power. But on any given day I will take the team that gets 11 guys on base and hits under .200 over the team that gets 6 and hits. 500 with RISP. The latter is probably not sustainable and the former isn't either.

But it is true that we have a whole lot of .200 hitters, with or without RISP. That problem is not something you can fix short-term to win in 2018, it's part of development and figuring out who is actually a keeper.

flyers19rw 2018-06-08 21:51:08 UTC #125

The team lacks power up and down the order. The fact is that they don't hit much- team BA is .231, 26th in the game and they are third worst in SOs with 587. To sit back and wait for run scoring innings to happen under these conditions is a waste of time. Its time to use the "get them on, move them over and drive them" in attack. Bunts, hit and runs, stolen bases, sacrifices are called for when possible. Especially with teams using the shift as much as they do; make the defense move around and pay for their positioning.