Mark Reynolds and Nick Markakis

[Matt P]

Are there any other players more frustrating than these two? Reynolds seems to be figuring it out at the plate but he is an embarrassment at 3B. Markakis has been playing good defense in right but looks horrible at the plate. He leads the league in double plays and he would've had a 2nd one turned on him tonight but Michael Young couldn't make a tough play to finish it off.

How much longer until they do something at 3B? Betemit looks horrible at 3B too but he at least looks good at the plate. Will they start playing Flaherty more? Do they just keep it the way it is and hope that Roberts can play 2B and then put Andino at 3B? Do they really think Tejada is going to be the answer?

How much longer until they move Markakis out of the 3 spot? Do they bat him there until he starts hitting? What if he doesn't? JJ seems to be hitting now and that makes Markakis' struggles even more damaging. When Reimold and Roberts (if he ever does) come back what happens with the top of the order? Will Buck actually make the line up based on who is performing and who isn't or will he keep Markakis batting 3rd even if he continues to struggle?

3B, the batting order, and two starters are the four things this team needs to figure out if they want to continue the early success and have a serious shot at the playoffs. Also, they may need to worry about Chen as it starts to heat up but he's been good so far so let's cross that bridge if we get there.

[birdwatcher55]

Two possible fixes: Keep Reynolds off third permanently; Either DH him or 1B. Install Andino as the every day 3B
Drop Markakis in the order to sixth or seventh

[Rising O's]

Markakis does not have the mental toughness to hit 3rd. Over his entire career he has shown himself to be a much better and productive hitter in the 2 spot. But it seems all of our managers are incapable of making this connection because they keep putting him back in the 3. After Hardy's 30 HRs last year it should have been a no brainer switch.

[Zach]

I agree with Rising about Markakis in the 2 spot. He seems more comfortable in this position and it fits his game better (more of a contact hitter than a power hitter). I think that along with Hardy, Chris Davis could be another name to consider for that spot in the lineup. He has the power and has looked a lot more comfortable at the plate this year. Of course, we might not want to mess with a good thing by moving him up.

[OriolesRedskins28]

Markakis does not have the mental toughness to hit 3rd. Over his entire career he has shown himself to be a much better and productive hitter in the 2 spot. But it seems all of our managers are incapable of making this connection because they keep putting him back in the 3. After Hardy's 30 HRs last year it should have been a no brainer switch.

I could not agree more. The swap should be made immediately.

I agree with Rising about Markakis in the 2 spot. He seems more comfortable in this position and it fits his game better (more of a contact hitter than a power hitter). I think that along with Hardy, Chris Davis could be another name to consider for that spot in the lineup. He has the power and has looked a lot more comfortable at the plate this year. Of course, we might not want to mess with a good thing by moving him up.

I think the issue is that he doesn't even hit doubles like he used to. He only had 31 last year and has 5 so far this year. Hopefully he picks it up in the second half like he did last season. But I agree that he does belong in the 2 hole rather than 3.

[osforlife]

Keep platooning Betemit and Reynolds at third. Reynolds will be traded sooner or later. Once he's gone, Andino can start everyday at third. Flaherty can play second regularly, or Roberts can play second regularly if he's back, or Ryan Adams gets called up if he starts hitting batter at Norfolk. Tejada is not the answer at third. Markakis and Hardy need to be swapped in the order.

[Rising O's]

Well Hardy is well on his way to 30 again.

[dan72]

Keep Reynolds at first, Tejada at 3B, and Davis and Betimit share DH duties.
Move Markakis to the 6 or 7 spot until he can get his OBP up.

[CSPitt17130]

Tejada at 3B

Tejada had an OPS of .596 last year. He's not an option.

[ofahn]

Why not rotate Reynolds, Davis, and Betemit through the DH spot and play Flaherty at 3B? His glove is the best of the three and defense is what we need to improve to support the pitching.

If we give Flaherty twenty ABs a week he might put up a .750 OPS, which is acceptable at 3B if the defense is solid. Particularly, if it includes a .350 OBA.

[Matt P]

Markakis may be heating up. Roch said that he is battling a virus yet he has been hitting well against Texas. Hopefully he continues because we are going to need him hitting if we are going to win the series against Tampa.