re: Can someone explain why Curiel was dropped in the order?

My mistake it was his OB% that was so high. I can’t find it. However, I did find this write-up
“Curiel’s .215 batting average against lefty pitchers entering the Super Regional, Johnson inserted the lefty-hitting Pearson at lead-off against West Virginia ace lefty Griffin Kirn. Pearson entering Saturday’s game was hitting .323 against lefty pitchers (11-for-34), so he got the start.”
And he delivered…Josh is batting .297 so his reverse splits are why he starts.
FWIW - Brown, Johnson’s best option for RF, was .111 in the conference vs lefties…

Your turn: provide all the data for better options vs lefties with playing in these moments.

I never said pearson shouldnt be hitting against lefties. Ive actually said the opposite. I just disagree with him hitting at the top of the order. And that sample size is relatively small still.

As previously stated Curiel struggles more against lefties. Also, the way the lineup was structured yesterday kind of gave two half lineups with DC leading off the back half. it worked well enough I'd say. I thought it was interesting.

Jay has 9 batters to position, not just one.

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Just had to make sure Jones got more at bats...

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Funny how you cried like a baby all football season when Nussmeier was criticized lmao. But here you are

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“Curiel’s .215 batting average against lefty pitchers entering the Super Regional, Johnson inserted the lefty-hitting Pearson at lead-off against West Virginia ace lefty Griffin Kirn. Pearson entering Saturday’s game was hitting .323 against lefty pitchers (11-for-34), so he got the start.”

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That’s great.

You still want Curiel at the top of the lineup to get an extra at bat at the end of the game. Their main reliever is a righty so it would be more likely that Curiel would get an extra at bat against a righty if he would bat leadoff.


Instead Pearson got that extra at bat and struck out. Luckily we didn’t need it.

Just because we won doesn’t mean the lineup was correct.

Downvote away.

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Pearson has been incredibly clutch over the past 4 years. Dude has had huge hits in this exact stadium to win a national title.

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Pearson is 3 for 30 in Omaha with 3 rbi

3-26 in 2023
0-4 yesterday
.100 batting average
.307 OBP


I like Pearson starting against lefties but I would have put Brown in the moment Gaeckle went in the game.

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Can someone explain why Curiel was dropped in the order?

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It's because that's where LSU's head baseball coach wanted Curiel to bat...

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You still want Curiel at the top of the lineup to get an extra at bat at the end of the game. Their main reliever is a righty so it would be more likely that Curiel would get an extra at bat against a righty if he would bat leadoff. Instead Pearson got that extra at bat and struck out. Luckily we didn’t need it. Just because we won doesn’t mean the lineup was correct.

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Funny how both drove in the same number of runs. If you argue that Brown should have been in Pearson’s 3rd AB, then that is a good discussion point. Of course the type of pitches a guy throws is very important and maybe he is like Anderson with reverse splits (lefties hit Anderson better than righties if I remember). Don’t know or care.