The platoon really only matters for a portion of the game, though, doesn't it? I'd like to see the numbers on it, but I'm guessing that starting pitchers see the starting 9 for something around 2.5 at bats on average. If it's around that, that's only 63% of at bats (I'm guessing 4.0 AB per game is average). But, platooning probably makes a more positive impact at the weak-hitting positions, which are generally down in the batting order, and they get about 1 AB on average less than the #1 hitter, right? So how much difference does platooning make over the course of a season? Say 90 AB worth of difference? If it's the difference between a .220 hitter in that position and a .270 hitter, we're talking about 8 hits. Is that about 2 runs? Is it even worth it?

I am not confident about any of the assumptions or math above. I've just never seen anyone break it down, so that's my first stab.

Four games of Joe West. I don't know how Terry didn't punch him in his fat face when he was doing his little arm-bar routine.

The less I see of Mike Cameron the better to be honest, Drew puts up better at bats vs. lefties anyway , I find the platoon a waste of time with the way Cameron and McDonald are playing to be honest.

The Red Sox only start two RHB against left-handed starters, now that Lowrie is the everyday SS, which gives them a platoon% of 78% in games against lefties.

It's early and I need coffee, but shouldn't platoon% vs LHP be (9 - #LHB) * 100/9 and not (9 - #RHB) * 100/9? Also, the Sox do mostly sit 1 or 2 of Ortiz/Drew/Crawford in favour of Cameron/Scutaro/McDonald. So it's not like they aren't taking "advantage" of platooning vs lefties...

Anyways, my main complaint is that neither Varitek or Salty should be allowed to bat late in a clutch situation. We have 2 entirely fungible catchers, and a bunch of better hitters than them on the bench. Of course, Tito will only actually ever pinch run for them...

Oops. I meant "against righties", not lefties, there.

Of course, Tito will only actually ever pinch run for them...

Think of the players he avoids burning by only pinch-running for guys who never get on base. Genius, see...

Oops. I meant "against righties", not lefties, there.

Since posting,it has occurred to me, that that is also an overly simplistic way of calculating it. Since Pedroia and Youk are batting 2 and 4, they'll get more that 1/9th of the PA's against right-handed starters. Of course, it doesn't really matter that much, since neither of them have much of a platoon split anyway IIRC...

Could be that Cameron only plays well when he's playing every day.

Can they DH the catchers and let the pitchers hit?

Could be that Cameron only plays well when he's playing every day.

I don't want him anywhere near the base paths, let alone the team!

This Red Sox team is the 2nd iteration since 1948 to go this far into a season without scoring 10 runs in at least one game. The 1970 Red Sox took until their 45th game to do so, but finished 2nd in the AL in runs (only 6 runs behind Baltimore in 1st). This team seems unlikely to follow suit in that respect.

This platoon stuff is great. However, can someone figure out how to make Lackey suck less?

The 1970 Red Sox took until their 45th game to do so, but finished 2nd in the AL in runs (only 6 runs behind Baltimore in 1st). This team seems unlikely to follow suit in that respect.

seems entirely plausible to me.