Isn't Mora on the Orioles...did he escape overnight?

25-30 extra runs for batting the pitcher 8th? come on, ken...maybe if you REPLACE the pitcher with a kendall-level hitter.

i'm pretty sure the consensus is that batting the pitcher 8th is worth more like 2-5 runs a year. A number of intelligent people have also pointed out that the advantage is nullified, possibly outweighed by the fact that you'll choose to pull the pitcher sooner than you'd like a little more often, or you'll have to let him take a few more ABs over the year.

in the brewers' case, though, i think it's warranted. given that kendall is so OBP-heavy and the brewers' 1-3 hitters (some combination of weeks/cameron/hart/braun) have a lot of power, it's a good idea. i'd like to see the dbacks do it if they keep young in the leadoff spot (though he should really hit further down the order).

A comeback by Bret would be difficult to resist

No, really Ken, it wouldn't be. In fact, it's rather easy to resist.

This morning, I too woke up revived at age 31. But my wife said I still looked like crap.

Ah, but did you make a backhand play that she hadn't seen you make for two or three years?

in the brewers' case, though, i think it's warranted. given that kendall is so OBP-heavy and the brewers' 1-3 hitters (some combination of weeks/cameron/hart/braun) have a lot of power, it's a good idea.

It's also a good idea because batting Kendall behind the pitcher somewhat nullifies his propensity for grounding into double plays.

FYI, the top of the Brewers' lineup is pretty much set at Weeks/Cameron/Fielder/Braun, as soon as Cameron returns from suspension.

A number of intelligent people have also pointed out that the advantage is nullified, possibly outweighed by the fact that you'll choose to pull the pitcher sooner than you'd like a little more often, or you'll have to let him take a few more ABs over the year.

Who are these people? I thought the data tended to indicate that managers are too slow to go to their bullpens and their benches, not too fast.

i'm pretty sure the consensus is that batting the pitcher 8th is worth more like 2-5 runs a year. A number of intelligent people have also pointed out that the advantage is nullified, possibly outweighed by the fact that you'll choose to pull the pitcher sooner than you'd like a little more often, or you'll have to let him take a few more ABs over the year.

I thought it was mitigated by the fact that the pitchers spot is PH and double switched for so often--so the pitcher wouldn't be batting in front of the leadoff hitter that often, anyways.

Who are these people?

Cory Schwartz was arguing this point on a recent fantasy 411...i've heard it elsewhere but can't remember

i have no idea how one would measure how well-timed bullpen moves are. I think managers too often focus on the results rather than how the pitcher is actually throwing. for example, how often do we see:
third inning, none out, none on: inexperienced starter gives up an infield single, then a grounder sneaks past the first baseman. third batter up bunts, but the ball is placed well and he gets on- bases loaded. next batter is struck out. then the final batter chops a looper down the rightfield line that rolls into foul ground, and all 3 runners score.

and the manager pulls the pitcher. maybe not these exact circumstances, but in this example he got a strikeout, two grounders, a bunt and a popup. none of those are bad signs, but since the results were bad the manager goes to the pen. You see all the time that good events (such as ground balls) can easily end up being a string of bad results. Conversely, how often do we see the manager leave a veteran pitcher in after he gives up a seventh-inning, long fly ball caught on the track with runners on? all the time! Many (i'd like to say most) mlb managers understand this difference, but they're prone to moments where they stop thinking.

Ah, but did you make a backhand play that she hadn't seen you make for two or three years?

Careful, Mr. Mora's famed backhand maneuver once netted him quintuplets!

First of all: Worst editing of the year so far.

I'd like to read what a scout has to say about Braun in LF. I've only read Yost and now Kapler's opinion of Braun. I want an unbiased scout's opinion.

The Kendall thing is fine with me, but 10 runs tops, but then again, if 10 is true, then that is 1 win and well worth it.