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Phillies: 2018’s lineup questions

By Tal Venada

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: Nick Williams
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: Nick Williams /
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If Santana bats second, where does Hoskins hit? Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images.
If Santana bats second, where does Hoskins hit? Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images. /

Front-loaded power:

While Odubel Herrera is an excellent three-hole hitter during a prolonged hot streak, Hoskins could be more in Kapler’s plans to protect Santana. An order beginning with Hernandez, Santana, and Hoskins could provide first-inning fireworks with a lead to relax the starter. Kapler’s thinking?

Possibilities:

  • 1: Hernandez or Santana
  • 2: Altherr, Williams, Santana or Crawford
  • 3: Herrera, Hoskins or Santana
  • 4: Hoskins or Santana
  • 5: Altherr, Williams or Franco
  • 6: Franco, Williams or Altherr
  • 7: Alfaro or Franco
  • 8: Crawford or Alfaro

Since Kapler, Double D, will at times rely on some old-fashioned baseball, you can occasionally expect Santana and Hoskins in more traditional roles. They would bat 3-4 or 4-5 and drive in the top two or three hitters.

In the sixth spot, Maikel Franco won’t have the pressure to carry the team, and he should produce a higher average with 20-25 homers. But if he regains his early form, he could bat fifth but still behind Santana and Hoskins. Altherr or Williams, on the other hand, could slot sixth if Crawford has success hitting second.

"FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “If you torture the data long enough, it will confess.” – Ronald Coase"

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