MLB One-Third Mark: Which NL Team Has the Best Lineup?
The National League has featured a good deal of competition one-third of the way through the 2019 season. It has been a combination of lackluster pitching from some teams and compelling offensive production for most. Here lies a discussion of the three most voracious lineups within the Senior Circuit.
This season, the National League has seen a rapid increase in the number of home runs and all around offense. There are a number of factors that can be investigated on that matter, unfortunately, this is not the destination for that discourse.
A number of National League lineups are stacked with young and veteran talent that can pose many issues for an opposing pitcher. These lineups can be described as long, as each batter that comes to the plate poses a severe challenge for the pitcher. Therefore, a pitcher labors through each at-bat and there is resultantly no landing spot for a pitcher.
Ideally, the lineups possess of left-handers and right-handers to keep the pitcher off balance as well. An important aspect of a lineup is that the respective batters must have the capability to work a count and battle- not to get themselves out. The following three clubs have the most diverse lineups in the National League – a league that has a larger degree of competition than the opposite league.
Best National League Lineup
Chicago Cubs
Lineup:
Kris Bryant 3B
Javier Baez 2B
Alternatives: David Bote IF/OF, Daniel Descalso IF
The Cubs possess a certain combination of power and contact at the top of the lineup that allows them to score at very high rates. They are not as much of an all or nothing lineup as they would seem. Conteras, Rizzo, and Bryant all work their counts well and are tough to strikeout without much effort.
While the core of the lineup is as powerful as any, the depth is lacking in comparison to the higher number on this list. Bryant, Rizzo, Contreras, and Baez comprise one of the most formidable middle of the lineups. Each is a star in his own right, yet those that surround them are not nearly as difficult outs.
Heyward has had excessive struggles since his arrival in the Windy City- being known mainly for his prowess in the outfield. Almora Jr. is still a young player and developing into a more formidable option with each successive season. In truth, Schwarber is little less than one of those hitters defined by the three true outcomes- home run, strikeout, or walk.
The loss of Ben Zobrist to his current family predicament will prove to be harmful to the Cubs depth, as he could not only play multiple positions, he also was a productive batter. Therefore, the roles of Descalso and Bote are elevated and the Cubs are hopeful for beneficial returns.
Best National League Lineup
Atlanta Braves
Lineup:
Austin Riley LF
Ozzie Albies 2B
While The Braves may not have the stunning depth of the two other clubs that comprise this list, they do indeed have the offensive firepower when their full arsenal of players is of service to them. A combination of young talent and a veteran presence from 1-year deals provides the perfect set up for the Braves offense to function.
Acuna is a true dynamo of a player and he can contribute in all the levels of the game. His speed, power, and plate discipline give him the makings of a player on the brink of stardom. Another consistent force within the Braves lineup is first baseman, Freddie Freeman.
He is a true slugger, yet he does not have the stats of one. He certainly has the power for it- he is on pace for 38 home runs and currently has .561 slugging percentage. However, merely 41 strikeouts and 29 walks are not marks that one would expect from the archetypal slugger- his .398 OBP as evidence.
The two veterans in the group are Markakis- the long-tenured left-handed outfielder- and Donaldson- the powerful former AL MVP. Markakis’s 2019 stats are not overly impressive upon first sight, yet a .371 OBP is an exceptional mark. Donaldson has shown slightly more power, following a relatively power-barren first month. His .833 OPS has constantly been on the rise, since the aforementioned poor start.
The final addition to this impressive squad has arrived due to the injury of Ender Inciarte. Riley has exceeded since his promotion, already recording 7 home runs, 20 RBI, and an OPS that has eclipsed 1.000.
Best National League Lineup
Los Angeles Dodgers
Lineup:
Joc Pederson LF
Max Muncy 1B
Corey Seager SS
Alex Verdugo CF
Chris Taylor LF
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Alternatives: Kike Hernandez IF/OF, David Freese 1B/3B, Austin Barnes C
The Dodgers feature the most depth, as well as a great variety of players, to fill out their lineup. Bellinger, Pederson, and Muncy are a triumvirate of power. Turner and Seager and more balanced hitters, yet they can offer quite a bit of their own power. A myriad of catchers fill out the lineup, as well as the rotations of Verdugo, Taylor, and Hernandez.
Bellinger is obviously the draw in this lineup. He can take a wild cut, using all the power he has, yet when he does not connect and the count becomes 2 strikes, he is able to shorten his swing to make contact. The same can be said about a number of these batters and that just makes them tough opponents to face.
With an approach such as this, it is far less likely that they will rack up strikeouts and therefore more likely to force a mistake from the pitcher. Both the general and individualized approach must be credited to newly appointed hitting coach, Robert van Scoyoc.
Next. How the Padres next homestand is vital to their season. dark
A.J. Pollock suffered a knee injury earlier this season and upon his return, the team will grow that much deeper and have more potential to have an even more successful season.