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Posted: **05 Feb 2026 08:52 am**

Given the relative inexperience of many of our players, and knowing that confidence is a big part of success, I would be inclined to platoon quite a bit. Of course, some players have reverse platoon splits. In any, event I would try to maximize the likelihood of success for every player by using the platoon judiciously.

Posted: **05 Feb 2026 08:54 am**

My preferred lineup:

1-Noot/LF
2-JJW/2B
3-Hererra/DH
4-Burly/1B
5-Norman/3B
6-Walker/RF
7-Winn/SS
8-Pages/C
9-VSII/CF

I don't like having Walker in the everyday lineup or Gorman at 3rd base but you have to play the "cards" you're dealt.

(And watch out for some screwy Oli lineups where he'll hit JJW 7th or 8th while leading off w/Winn

)

Posted: **05 Feb 2026 09:04 am**

For those listing Winn or VSII at lead-off, don't!

Winn career hitting lead-off = .280 OB%

VSII career + .283 OB%

Not what you want from your lead-off man.

Posted: **05 Feb 2026 09:07 am**

rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:04 am For those listing Winn or VSII at lead-off, don't!

Winn career hitting lead-off = .280 OB%

VSII career + .283 OB%

Not what you want from your lead-off man.

It gets worse. I’m hitting them one-two.

Posted: **05 Feb 2026 09:07 am**

rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:04 am For those listing Winn or VSII at lead-off, don't!

Winn career hitting lead-off = .280 OB%

VSII career + .283 OB%

Not what you want from your lead-off man.

If Nootbaar is out. Church could be in LF and at 1 or 2 in the lineup.

Posted: **05 Feb 2026 09:30 am**

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:07 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:04 am For those listing Winn or VSII at lead-off, don't!

Winn career hitting lead-off = .280 OB%

VSII career + .283 OB%

Not what you want from your lead-off man.
It gets worse. I’m hitting them one-two.

YIKES BDog

Posted: **05 Feb 2026 09:32 am**

Shady wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:07 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:04 am For those listing Winn or VSII at lead-off, don't!

Winn career hitting lead-off = .280 OB%

VSII career + .283 OB%

Not what you want from your lead-off man.
If Nootbaar is out. Church could be in LF and at 1 or 2 in the lineup.

Oh H E L L NO!

Church in his 65 PA's had a .254 OB%

Sure it was a SSS but c'mon, that's not a guy you want hitting lead-off.

Posted: **05 Feb 2026 09:35 am**

rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:30 am
sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:07 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:04 am For those listing Winn or VSII at lead-off, don't!

Winn career hitting lead-off = .280 OB%

VSII career + .283 OB%

Not what you want from your lead-off man.
It gets worse. I’m hitting them one-two.
YIKES BDog

I know. I’m looking at combining speed and better bat control to at least move runners.

I feel both will improve their game. JJ third. If he is the hitter they say, want his speed and ability in the three hole.

Scott can only go up, and Winn could further improve his game.

It gets worse. My only question is- which of the two to hit one.

Posted: **05 Feb 2026 09:40 am**

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:07 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:04 am For those listing Winn or VSII at lead-off, don't!

Winn career hitting lead-off = .280 OB%

VSII career + .283 OB%

Not what you want from your lead-off man.
It gets worse. I’m hitting them one-two.

If so, I certainly hope they have worked this off season to take more walks and make better contact. Those OBP are sad.

Posted: **05 Feb 2026 09:41 am**

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:35 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:30 am
sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:07 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:04 am For those listing Winn or VSII at lead-off, don't!

Winn career hitting lead-off = .280 OB%

VSII career + .283 OB%

Not what you want from your lead-off man.
It gets worse. I’m hitting them one-two.
YIKES BDog
I know. I’m looking at combining speed and better bat control to at least move runners.

I feel both will improve their game. JJ third. If he is the hitter they say, want his speed and ability in the three hole.

Scott can only go up, and Winn could further improve his game.

It gets worse. My only question is- who’s one.

As you well know BDog, you can't steal 1st base.

Winn has been a massive failure when leading-off and he's an awful base stealer, his best slot is in the bottom third.

VSII would be ideal w/his base stealing acumen and speed BUT only if he can get on base at a .325-.330 OB% clip.

Noot is the perfect lead-off man who works counts and gets on base at a .343 clip when leading-off.

I like JJW in the #2 hole where his batting skills and extra base hit power could do some damage.

Posted: **05 Feb 2026 09:47 am**

rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:41 am
sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:35 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:30 am
sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:07 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:04 am For those listing Winn or VSII at lead-off, don't!

Winn career hitting lead-off = .280 OB%

VSII career + .283 OB%

Not what you want from your lead-off man.
It gets worse. I’m hitting them one-two.
YIKES BDog
I know. I’m looking at combining speed and better bat control to at least move runners.

I feel both will improve their game. JJ third. If he is the hitter they say, want his speed and ability in the three hole.

Scott can only go up, and Winn could further improve his game.

It gets worse. My only question is- who’s one.
As you well know BDog, you can't steal 1st base.

Winn has been a massive failure when leading-off and he's an awful base stealer, his best slot is in the bottom third.

VSII would be ideal w/his base stealing acumen and speed BUT only if he can get on base at a .325-.330 OB% clip.

Noot is the perfect lead-off man who works counts and gets on base at a .343 clip when leading-off.

I like JJW in the #2 hole where his batting skills and extra base hit power could do some damage.

You’re discounting my verbiage. I expect both to get mprove. Scott might get to your number. Then I need a great bat control hitter at two. Power and speed at three.

Noot is gone till who noots. My hope is to have one or two of my top two on when the power comes up.

Posted: **05 Feb 2026 09:55 am**

rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:32 am
Shady wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:07 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:04 am For those listing Winn or VSII at lead-off, don't!

Winn career hitting lead-off = .280 OB%

VSII career + .283 OB%

Not what you want from your lead-off man.
If Nootbaar is out. Church could be in LF and at 1 or 2 in the lineup.
Oh H E L L NO!

Church in his 65 PA's had a .254 OB%

Sure it was a SSS but c'mon, that's not a guy you want hitting lead-off.

Both Church and Saggese have the potential to show vast improvement.

Posted: **05 Feb 2026 09:58 am**

Shady wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:55 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:32 am
Shady wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:07 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:04 am For those listing Winn or VSII at lead-off, don't!

Winn career hitting lead-off = .280 OB%

VSII career + .283 OB%

Not what you want from your lead-off man.
If Nootbaar is out. Church could be in LF and at 1 or 2 in the lineup.
Oh H E L L NO!

Church in his 65 PA's had a .254 OB%

Sure it was a SSS but c'mon, that's not a guy you want hitting lead-off.
Both Church and Saggese have the potential to show vast improvement.

everyone has potential to show vast improvement

Posted: **05 Feb 2026 10:01 am**

craviduce wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:58 am
Shady wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:55 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:32 am
Shady wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:07 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:04 am For those listing Winn or VSII at lead-off, don't!

Winn career hitting lead-off = .280 OB%

VSII career + .283 OB%

Not what you want from your lead-off man.
If Nootbaar is out. Church could be in LF and at 1 or 2 in the lineup.
Oh H E L L NO!

Church in his 65 PA's had a .254 OB%

Sure it was a SSS but c'mon, that's not a guy you want hitting lead-off.
Both Church and Saggese have the potential to show vast improvement.
everyone has potential to show vast improvement

I disagree. Some improvement, yes, vast improvement only some. An example of vast improvement as a MLB hitter. Alec Burleson.

Posted: **05 Feb 2026 10:02 am**

ramfandan wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 10:12 am Old Red,
Not my opening day lineup but one I saw listed for Cardinals post Donovan trade :

St. Louis Cardinals projected lineup after trading away Brendan Donovan
2B JJ Wetherholt
SS Masyn Winn
1B Alec Burleson
C Ivan Herrera
LF Lars Nootbaar
RF Jordan Walker
DH Nolan Gorman
3B Thomas Saggese
CF Victor Scott II

How much of chitburger is that bottom 5?? You could maybe live with 2…..maybe 3 if stretching it. But 5 dead spots. How can anyone realistically think this team will score runs. They’re going to be so demoralized by JUNE……

Posted: **05 Feb 2026 10:11 am**

Shady wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 10:01 am
craviduce wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:58 am
Shady wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026 09:55 am Both Church and Saggese have the potential to show vast improvement.
everyone has potential to show vast improvement
I disagree. Some improvement, yes, vast improvement only some. An example of vast improvement as a MLB hitter. Alec Burleson.

Alec Burleson (xBA/xWOBA)
2023: .272/.337
2024: .270/.333
2025: .272/.345

"Vast improvement"

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