Baseball is a sport where every little decision can impact the outcome of a game. One of those decisions is the starting lineup, which can have a significant impact on a team’s ability to win a game. When a player is not in the starting lineup, fans may wonder why that player is not playing.
This is the case for Adam Frazier, a left-handed hitter who was not in the starting lineup for a game against the Yankees. In this blog post, we will explore why Adam Frazier was not in the starting lineup, and what strategic factors may have influenced the decision.
We will look at the opposing team’s pitcher, Frazier’s performance against left-handed pitchers, and other potential factors that may have contributed to his absence from the starting lineup.
By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of the decision-making process that goes into creating a starting lineup, and how strategic decisions can impact a team’s ability to win a game.
Explanation of the Situation
The game in question was a matchup between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees. On this particular day, the Yankees had Nestor Cortes Jr. as their starting pitcher. Cortes is a left-handed pitcher, which means he throws the ball with his left hand.
This is important to note because left-handed pitchers have a different delivery than right-handed pitchers, which can make it more difficult for left-handed batters to hit the ball.
Adam Frazier, the player in question, is a left-handed hitter. This means that when he steps up to the plate, he holds the bat in his left hand and swings from the left side of the plate. Because of this, he is facing the pitcher from the opposite side than a right-handed hitter would.
When a left-handed batter faces a left-handed pitcher, it can be more challenging to hit the ball because the ball is moving toward the batter, rather than away from them.
Left-handed batters tend to have a lower batting average against left-handed pitchers compared to right-handed batters.
This is because the ball is moving in towards the batter, making it harder to hit, and because there are fewer left-handed pitchers in the league, so left-handed batters have less experience facing them.
Because of this, coaches and managers will often adjust their lineups based on the opposing pitcher’s handedness. The Orioles may have chosen to sit Frazier out because he is a left-handed hitter and the opposing pitcher is a left-handed pitcher, meaning he might struggle against him.
Team Strategy
Coaches and managers often adjust their lineups based on a variety of factors, including the opposing pitcher’s handedness, the strengths and weaknesses of their own players, and matchups against specific opponents.
The Orioles may have chosen to sit Adam Frazier out of the starting lineup to maximize their chances of winning against the Yankees.
One of the main factors that likely influenced this decision is the fact that the opposing pitcher, Nestor Cortes Jr., is a left-handed pitcher.
As we mentioned earlier, left-handed batters tend to have a lower batting average against left-handed pitchers. By sitting Frazier out of the lineup, the Orioles may have hoped to increase their chances of getting hits and scoring runs off of Cortes.
The Orioles may have also opted to go with a right-handed batter instead of Frazier. Right-handed batters tend to have an advantage against left-handed pitchers because they are facing the pitcher from the opposite side, making it easier to see the ball and make contact.
By replacing Frazier with a right-handed batter, the Orioles may have hoped to improve their chances of getting hits and scoring runs against Cortes.
Ultimately, the decision to sit Frazier out of the starting lineup was likely a strategic one aimed at maximizing the team’s chances of winning the game.
By adjusting the lineup based on the opposing pitcher’s handedness and the strengths and weaknesses of their own players, the Orioles may have hoped to gain an edge over the Yankees and come out on top.
Frazier’s Performance Against Lefties
To further understand why Adam Frazier may have been left out of the starting lineup, we can look at his performance against left-handed pitchers. Frazier has been in the league since 2016 and has faced a significant number of left-handed pitchers during his career.
Looking at his career statistics, we can see that Frazier has hit .270 against left-handed pitchers, which is slightly lower than his career average of .281. This suggests that Frazier may struggle slightly more against left-handed pitchers compared to right-handed pitchers.
Additionally, looking at his statistics from this season, Frazier has hit .269 against left-handed pitchers, which is lower than his overall batting average of .278.
This could be another reason why the Orioles chose to sit him out of the starting lineup against the left-handed Nestor Cortes Jr.
While Frazier’s statistics against left-handed pitchers aren’t terrible, they do suggest that he may have some difficulty hitting off of them. This could have influenced the Orioles’ decision to go with a different player in the starting lineup who may have a better chance of hitting off a left-handed pitcher.
Other Factors
While the primary reason for Adam Frazier not being in the starting lineup is likely the fact that the opposing pitcher is left-handed, there may be other factors at play as well.
For example, Frazier may be dealing with an injury or in need of rest, which could have influenced the Orioles’ decision to sit him out.
In addition, coaches and managers often consider a variety of matchups when putting together their lineups. For example, they may want to ensure that they have the right mix of left-handed and right-handed batters to take advantage of the opposing pitcher’s strengths and weaknesses.
They may also want to make sure that certain players are matched up against specific pitchers with who they have had success in the past.
While we don’t have any specific information to suggest that Frazier is dealing with an injury or in need of rest, it’s possible that these factors could have influenced the Orioles’ decision to sit him out of the starting lineup.
Additionally, while the primary reason is likely the matchup against the left-handed pitcher, the Orioles may have also considered other factors when deciding on their starting lineup for the game.
Adam Frazier’s Performance Against Left-Handed Pitchers
| Season | Plate Appearances | Batting Average | On-Base Percentage | Slugging Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 54 | .270 | .296 | .378 |
| 2021 | 57 | .211 | .281 | .342 |
| Career | 182 | .238 | .290 | .353 |
This table shows Frazier’s performance against left-handed pitchers over the course of his career, as well as in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. It includes statistics such as his plate appearances, batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage, which can be useful in evaluating his overall performance against lefties.
FAQs
Is it common for teams to adjust their lineup based on the opposing pitcher’s handedness?
Yes, it is quite common for teams to adjust their lineup based on the opposing pitcher’s handedness. Left-handed batters, for example, tend to have more success against right-handed pitchers, while right-handed batters tend to have more success against left-handed pitchers. By adjusting their lineup accordingly, teams can maximize their chances of scoring runs and winning the game.
Do left-handed batters always struggle against left-handed pitchers?
Not necessarily. While it is true that left-handed batters tend to have a lower batting average against left-handed pitchers, there are many factors that can influence a player’s performance, including the specific pitcher they are facing, their own skill level, and other matchup-related factors. Some left-handed batters are actually quite successful against left-handed pitchers, while others may struggle.
Are there any other factors besides the pitcher’s handedness that teams consider when putting together their lineup?
Yes, there are many other factors that teams may consider when putting together their lineup. Some of these factors may include the players’ recent performance, their ability to hit certain types of pitches, their success against specific pitchers, their fielding ability, and more. Ultimately, the goal is to put together a lineup that gives the team the best chance of winning the game.
Is it possible for a player to be left out of the lineup even if they are healthy and not dealing with any injuries?
Yes, it is possible for a player to be left out of the lineup for reasons other than injury or rest. As mentioned earlier, coaches and managers may consider a variety of matchups and other factors when putting together their lineup and may opt to go with a different player who they believe has a better chance of success in a given situation.
Conclusion
Adam Frazier’s absence from the Orioles’ starting lineup in their game against the Yankees appears to be largely due to the matchup against the left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr.
Left-handed batters like Frazier tend to have a lower batting average against left-handed pitchers, which may have influenced the Orioles’ decision to sit him out in favor of a right-handed batter.
However, there may be other factors at play as well, such as Frazier’s performance against left-handed pitchers, his need for rest or dealing with an injury, and other matchups that the Orioles may have considered when putting together their lineup.
Ultimately, the decision to sit Frazier out of the starting lineup was likely a strategic one aimed at maximizing the team’s chances of winning the game.
