Call to the pen
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Phillies: Manager’s lineup strategy

By Tal Venada

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 30: Gabe Kapler #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies in the dugout in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on April 30, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 30: Gabe Kapler #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies in the dugout in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on April 30, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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Alfaro is showing the power the Phillies have been waiting for. Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images. /

Injury-free considerations:

Presently, Crawford is on the disabled list for part of May with a strained right forearm, but he’ll return to roughly the same amount of playing time. And the other four fielders sharing positions have the same situation if they have a brief health issue.

From a Phillies site, Double D had a question regarding the other four spots in the lineup. Well, before Santana temporarily switched there, Altherr or Maikel Franco had batted fifth: the best current hitter. And Altherr is performing better of late.

Recent stats:

  • Altherr: 10 Gms., 34 AB, 13 H, .382, 1 HR and 9 RBI (hot).
  • Franco: 13 Gms., 46 AB, 14 H, .304, 2 HR and 8 RBI (warm).
  • Kingery: 5 Gms., 16 AB, 4 H, .250, 0 HR and 0 RBI (improving).
  • Jorge Alfaro: 5 Gms., 19 AB, 8 H, .421, 2 HR and 5 RBI.
  • Hoskins: 5 Gms., 20 AB, 2 H, 3 BB, .100, 0 HR and 0 RBI.

More from Call to the Pen

When Santana begins hitting, Kapler will return to his previous and basic batting order with Altherr in right field: hot (5), improving (6) and warm (7). With Williams (cold) starting in right, the lineup changes: cold (5), warm (6) and improving (7). Of course, these configurations are for the current production in right field and the left side of the dirt.

Basic Lineup:

  • 1: Altherr (5), Kingery (6) and Franco (7).
  • 2: Williams (5), Franco (6) and Kingery (7).

New lineup:

  • 1: *Altherr (4), Santana (5), Franco (6) and Kingery (7).
  • 2: Franco (4), Santana (5), Kingery (6) and Williams (7).
  • * 1 could be daily for needed offense.

With Santana in the five hole, Double D, Kapler has a different batting order: hot (4), Santana (5), warm (6) and improving (7). But if Williams starts against a righty, it depends on Franco staying productive: warm (4), Santana (5), improving (6) and cold (7).

When Crawford returns, the seven and eight slots will have him, Alfaro and Andrew Knapp. And, hopefully, the bottom of the order will be more productive. But who is making a case for a lineup change with his bat? Alfaro!

Next: According to the Phillies' plan

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