Why is McLouth hitting third again?

[osforlife]

Why hasn't Jones been in the 3-spot all year? Get him as many at-bats as possible while still being in a position to drive in runs. I'am not giving up on Nate and Lew in left yet but cmon..third? Its even more ridicolous than JJ hitting second. They play good defensively but I have serious doubts with both of their bats. McLouth hasn't hit above .230 in quite some time and Ford is 4 for 28 with the O's and playing for the first time since 2007. Time for a line-up change Buck.

[OriolesRedskins28]

Why hasn't Jones been in the 3-spot all year? Get him as many at-bats as possible while still being in a position to drive in runs. I'am not giving up on Nate and Lew in left yet but cmon..third? Its even more ridicolous than JJ hitting second. They play good defensively but I have serious doubts with both of their bats. McLouth hasn't hit above .230 in quite some time and Ford is 4 for 28 with the O's and playing for the first time since 2007. Time for a line-up change Buck.

McLouth does a decent job of getting on base, has gap to gap power w/ a little home run pop, and has good splits against righties. You're right, he's not a prototypical 3 hole hitter but I'd prefer him to C Davis who spent time in the spot earlier in the year. I think Showalter is more comfortable w/ Jones hitting cleanup for some reason so he doesn't want to move him out of that spot. It keeps everyone else in order.

[mikezpen]

Hoes is looking more and more like the man.

[osforlife]

McLouth does a decent job of getting on base, has gap to gap power w/ a little home run pop, and has good splits against righties. You're right, he's not a prototypical 3 hole hitter but I'd prefer him to C Davis who spent time in the spot earlier in the year. I think Showalter is more comfortable w/ Jones hitting cleanup for some reason so he doesn't want to move him out of that spot. It keeps everyone else in order.

No way would I have Davis hitting third.But McLouth isn't a top of the order hitter at this stage of his career. Jones is the guy to hit third.

[birdwatcher55]

We will not see Hoes until September

[Rising O's]

A similar question was posed to Art Howe, I mean Buck Showalter, just a month ago when he was asked why not replace Hardy in the #2. His response was "with who".

[Adam Wolff]

A similar question was posed to Art Howe, I mean Buck Showalter, just a month ago when he was asked why not replace Hardy in the #2. His response was "with who".

To that, I would tell Buck 'Anyone.' Hardy has the lowest OBP of the team, so IMO anyone would be better suited there.

As for McLouth, I was okay with it at first, Buck was somewhat riding the hot bat, but I think Nate has probably spent enough time in the 3 hole for me. I too would like to see Jones hit there, but he seems pretty entrenched as the cleanup hitter. Somewhere Wieters said he would prefer to hit 3rd, so that might be interesting to see.

[Adam Wolff]

So uh, glad that McLouth guy is still hitting 3rd at least for today!

[osforlife]

Haha just when I make this thread. Keep hitting that low pitch Nate!

[osforlife]

A similar question was posed to Art Howe, I mean Buck Showalter, just a month ago when he was asked why not replace Hardy in the #2. His response was "with who".

Betemit is on the DL but why not him?

[David]

Betemit is on the DL but why not him?

Can't hit anything off speed.

[ofahn]

Can't hit anything off speed.

This line of discussion highlights one of the big needs for the off season: finding players with solid defense and a good OPS.

[Matt P]

They only have one middle of the order hitter. They are going to either have a hole in the 3 spot or a hole in the 4 spot regardless. I guess Buck would rather have the hole in the 3 spot.

[osforlife]

Can't hit anything off speed.

If he couldn't hit anything off speed then why do pitchers throw him a fastball even when he's hitting sixth. It's not like he would magically drop .050 points off his OBP if moved up to the 2-spot.

[birdwatcher55]

I think Flaherty needs to develop a hangnail and go back on the DL again