Post by Boston Red Sox on Oct 10, 2023 17:55:50 GMT -5
--Boston, MA
Boston and Baltimore are currently tied for 1st place in the AL east 87 games into the year. These teams have historically competed for playoff spots many times in the past, and are neck and neck again. Let's break down each position and see which team has the edge on paper.
Catcher: Ryan Hanigan vs Scott Hatteberg
Winner: Ryan Hanigan
Hanigan gets the edge over Hatteberg as they are both putting out similar numbers, but Hanigan has the edge on defense with his plus arm throwing runners out, and the fact that Hatteberg is aging out at 37.
First Baseman: Paul Konerko vs Derrek Lee
Winner: Derrek Lee
While Konerko is a solid first baseman any team would be happy to have on board, Derrek Lee is having a career year while boastinga a 45 home run campaign the year before, so the edge goes to the hot in his prime player here.
Second Baseman: Dustin Pedroia vs Alfonso Soriano
Winner: Draw!
These players are very different, and while Alfonso rips up the basepaths pretty well and slugs with the best of them, Pedroia runs circles around him on defense, and comes off a ROTY performance that he is looking to top and currently is on pace to do so. Pedroia steals bags at a much higher volume than Alfonso, so this seems like a wash based on how different yet valuable both are.
Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins vs Edwin Encarnacion
Winner: Edwin Encarnacion
Rollins is a top tier SS yet again any team would love to be fielding, but Edwin is THE top shortstop in the league at the moment. Boasting power, batting average, as well as a little speed and a good eye, he's the SS every team DREAMS of having. Edge Baltimore here.
Third Baseman: Jose Fernandez vs Munenori Kawasaki
Winner: Jose Fernandez
In the first truly lopsided matchup of this breakdown, Jose Fernandez is an above league average slugger with a history of bombing almost 30 a year, while being servicable at 3B. Kawasaki is a nice young player, but on most teams would be better suited as a utility infielder. Baltimore is probably looking to upgrade this position by the trade deadline if they want to win down the stretch.
Left Fielder: Ken Griffey Jr vs Carl Crawford
Winner: Ken Griffey Jr
While Carl Crawford is a very talented player, he's not having the best year, and is struggling to follow up on his intense rookie campaign last year. Griffey on the other hand is still putting up numbers that show everyone why he's a future first ballot HOF.
Center Fielder: Jim Edmonds vs Grady Sizemore
Winner: Jim Edmonds
Jim Edmonds is a future HOF still putting up work in his advancing age, and while Grady Sizemore is a young good hitter coming into his own, Edmonds is the clear favorite here for this year.
Right Fielder: Johnny Damon vs Pedro Munoz
Winner: Johnny Damon
Reigning NL MVP Johnny Damon has been putting together a solid performance towards a repeat MVP run, and is still very easily in the running to grab it. Pedro Munoz is just not that caliber of player, as servicable as he is.
Designated Hitter: Lance Berkman vs Jeromy Burnitz
Winner: Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman is the clear favorite of these two, with Burnitz finally succumbing to father time this season. Berkman has been slowing down in the summer months, but is still far ahead of Burnitz as a player at this point in both of their careers.
Final Tally: 5-3-1 Boston Victory in a lineup breakdown
Pitching to come!
Boston and Baltimore are currently tied for 1st place in the AL east 87 games into the year. These teams have historically competed for playoff spots many times in the past, and are neck and neck again. Let's break down each position and see which team has the edge on paper.
Catcher: Ryan Hanigan vs Scott Hatteberg
Winner: Ryan Hanigan
Hanigan gets the edge over Hatteberg as they are both putting out similar numbers, but Hanigan has the edge on defense with his plus arm throwing runners out, and the fact that Hatteberg is aging out at 37.
First Baseman: Paul Konerko vs Derrek Lee
Winner: Derrek Lee
While Konerko is a solid first baseman any team would be happy to have on board, Derrek Lee is having a career year while boastinga a 45 home run campaign the year before, so the edge goes to the hot in his prime player here.
Second Baseman: Dustin Pedroia vs Alfonso Soriano
Winner: Draw!
These players are very different, and while Alfonso rips up the basepaths pretty well and slugs with the best of them, Pedroia runs circles around him on defense, and comes off a ROTY performance that he is looking to top and currently is on pace to do so. Pedroia steals bags at a much higher volume than Alfonso, so this seems like a wash based on how different yet valuable both are.
Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins vs Edwin Encarnacion
Winner: Edwin Encarnacion
Rollins is a top tier SS yet again any team would love to be fielding, but Edwin is THE top shortstop in the league at the moment. Boasting power, batting average, as well as a little speed and a good eye, he's the SS every team DREAMS of having. Edge Baltimore here.
Third Baseman: Jose Fernandez vs Munenori Kawasaki
Winner: Jose Fernandez
In the first truly lopsided matchup of this breakdown, Jose Fernandez is an above league average slugger with a history of bombing almost 30 a year, while being servicable at 3B. Kawasaki is a nice young player, but on most teams would be better suited as a utility infielder. Baltimore is probably looking to upgrade this position by the trade deadline if they want to win down the stretch.
Left Fielder: Ken Griffey Jr vs Carl Crawford
Winner: Ken Griffey Jr
While Carl Crawford is a very talented player, he's not having the best year, and is struggling to follow up on his intense rookie campaign last year. Griffey on the other hand is still putting up numbers that show everyone why he's a future first ballot HOF.
Center Fielder: Jim Edmonds vs Grady Sizemore
Winner: Jim Edmonds
Jim Edmonds is a future HOF still putting up work in his advancing age, and while Grady Sizemore is a young good hitter coming into his own, Edmonds is the clear favorite here for this year.
Right Fielder: Johnny Damon vs Pedro Munoz
Winner: Johnny Damon
Reigning NL MVP Johnny Damon has been putting together a solid performance towards a repeat MVP run, and is still very easily in the running to grab it. Pedro Munoz is just not that caliber of player, as servicable as he is.
Designated Hitter: Lance Berkman vs Jeromy Burnitz
Winner: Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman is the clear favorite of these two, with Burnitz finally succumbing to father time this season. Berkman has been slowing down in the summer months, but is still far ahead of Burnitz as a player at this point in both of their careers.
Final Tally: 5-3-1 Boston Victory in a lineup breakdown
Pitching to come!
