Call to the pen
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Philadelphia Phillies: September’s lineup options

By Tal Venada

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 28: Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies during a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nationals won 5-4. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 28: Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies during a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nationals won 5-4. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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The Phillies will be counting on Ramos through September to drive in critical runs. Photo by H. Martin/Getty Images. /

Run producers:        

While the purpose of the leadoff man is to get on base, the two-slot hitter today drives him in. Then, the third batter is either the club’s best hitter like Herrera when he’s producing or Hernandez with a high OBP. But other possibilities are a solid matchup or a hot regular.

Batting cleanup is Ramos because he is averaging .306 with 15 bombs and 62 RBIs despite missing an entire month. But Jorge Alfaro will catch with Aaron Nola on the hill and during matinees after night games. For those contests, Carlos Santana will bat fourth.

The five spot offers protection for Ramos with switch-hitter Santana. Yes, some believe Santana should be on the bench with his .228 mark, but going inside those numbers reveals a .268 second-half average. And if he’s getting on base and producing RBIs, wouldn’t that hurt the team?

Protecting Santana, switch-hitter Asdrubal Cabrera is averaging .333 with three homers and six RBIs in his last 11 games. He’s heating up with first place within reach, during an easier Phillies schedule ahead than the Atlanta Braves, and for seven head-to-head battles with them to decide the NL East.

For the bottom two slots, a returning Maikel Franco and Nick Williams can bat seventh or eighth depending on the starter’s handedness. Franco can bat seventh or eighth before the moundsman or in front of Williams. Yes, both can slot higher.

"FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “The future influences the present just as much as the past.” – Friedrich Nietzsche"

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