I Demand Stability

The more I think about the lineup (and the CONSTANT shuffling) the more I want stability.  For the next 500 or so words I'm going to tell Jim Tracy how to fill out his lineup card and provide his team with that stability.

My Lineup Card (tonight vs San Diego)

CF Fowler
LF Spilborghs
1B Helton
SS Tulowitzki
RF Gonzalez
C Olivo
3B Stewart
2B Barmes
P Cook

This will not just be the lineup tonight, this will be the lineup for the next several days (insert Seth Smith for Spilborghs vs.a righty).

When Brad Hawpe returns, your lineup should look like this.

CF Fowler
1B Helton
SS Tulowtizki
LF Gonzalez
RF Hawpe
C Olivo
3B Stewart
2B Barmes
P Pitcher

I put a good deal of thought into this.

Fowler leading off gives you speed and flexibility (switch-hitter) right off the bat.

Helton batting second maximizes what his strengths are now. He's not going to provide the thump you need in an RBI position, so why put his historically solid OBP is a table setting position. Let the younger, stronger, fresher bats try to drive him in.

Tulowitzki and Gonzalez are your star offensive players. Those guys hit 3rd and 4th in every lineup. Ours should be no different. We're just lucky that our #4 can run a little, too, which adds a dimension to the middle of the order that most teams don't have.

Hawpe is born for the 5-hole. He's a steady offensive-minded player that isn't as dynamic as your #3 and #4. He stays there.

Miguel Olivo (and Chris Iannetta when he returns) hit 6th because the left-right balance is worthwhile and these guys posess the necessary power to slot in here.

Ian Stewart 7th is a luxury. This is where most NL lineups lose their steam. For Colorado, it's like another 5th hitter cleaning up leftovers.

8th belongs to Clint Barmes. He has way above average power for an 8 hitter, which is really nice, but we all know this is about his defense. I know there are stats out there that tell us who means what and how many runs they save and whatever. I don't need to see those stats to know the Rockies stand a better chance to win with Barmes playing second.

That lineup should (not guaranteed) maximaze all of the Rockies offensive and defensive strengths, and it should serve as your primary lineup that you run out there 3-4 times a week.

Simulation

Padres 8, Rockies 1

Good

Clint Barmes solo HR in the 9th.

Bad

Aaron Cook: 4 2/3 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, K

Everything else.

Rockies need a division series victory in a bad way tonight. Go get'em Cookie.