How MLB lineups are formed nowadays

[DarthRambo]

So not even that long ago we all knew the basic idea of how MLB lineups were formed. Fast guy leading off, good on base contact guy #2. Power at #4 and #6 etc etc.

Nowadays it's so different that when I look at lineups around the league I feel lost trying to understand how these are formed. Reason I ask is cause I'd love to see this game figure it out and fix lineup logic. It's very outdated system that doesn't come close to following the logic behind how lineups are formed irl.

So I'm curious if anyone could explain to me the basic gist or logic used in todays game to form lineups. Is it something that could be done in the game to a degree in a generic fashion?

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[Guys_WhoGame]

Re: How MLB lineups are formed nowadays

Leadoff
4 – Cleanup
2nd batter
5th batter
3rd batter
6th batter
7th batter
8th batter
9th batter

The batting positions in order of importance. Some teams are going by saber metrics

[kinsmen7]

Re: How MLB lineups are formed nowadays

Leadoff
4 – Cleanup
2nd batter
5th batter
3rd batter
6th batter
7th batter
8th batter
9th batter

The batting positions in order of importance. Some teams are going by saber metrics

Personally, I want my best hitters hitting the most often. Get a high OBP guy leading off, then roll from there.

[bspring3]

Re: How MLB lineups are formed nowadays

So not even that long ago we all knew the basic idea of how MLB lineups were formed. Fast guy leading off, good on base contact guy #2. Power at #4 and #6 etc etc.

Nowadays it's so different that when I look at lineups around the league I feel lost trying to understand how these are formed. Reason I ask is cause I'd love to see this game figure it out and fix lineup logic. It's very outdated system that doesn't come close to following the logic behind how lineups are formed irl.

So I'm curious if anyone could explain to me the basic gist or logic used in todays game to form lineups. Is it something that could be done in the game to a degree in a generic fashion?

Sent from my SM-G996U using Operation Sports mobile app

Every team will have its own formula but here is a very simplified version that can be used as a base (shown in the order that you decide who hits where):

Top OPS-hits 2nd
2nd best OPs-hits 4th
Top OBP-hits 1st
Next best OPS-hits 5th
Next best Slugging-hits 3rd
Next best OPS-hits 6th
Next best OBP-hits 9th
Last two in OPS-hit 7th and 8th


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[DarthRambo]

Re: How MLB lineups are formed nowadays

Every team will have its own formula but here is a very simplified version that can be used as a base (shown in the order that you decide who hits where):

Top OPS-hits 2nd
2nd best OPs-hits 4th
Top OBP-hits 1st
Next best OPS-hits 5th
Next best Slugging-hits 3rd
Next best OPS-hits 6th
Next best OBP-hits 9th
Last two in OPS-hit 7th and 8th


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for. Just a rough simplified idea of how lineups are constructed in today's MLB. At the end of every month in my franchise I like to change the lineups based on performance for all teams so this is a perfect template for me to use. Thanks again

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[DonkeyJote]

Re: How MLB lineups are formed nowadays

So not even that long ago we all knew the basic idea of how MLB lineups were formed. Fast guy leading off, good on base contact guy #2. Power at #4 and #6 etc etc.

Nowadays it's so different that when I look at lineups around the league I feel lost trying to understand how these are formed. Reason I ask is cause I'd love to see this game figure it out and fix lineup logic. It's very outdated system that doesn't come close to following the logic behind how lineups are formed irl.

So I'm curious if anyone could explain to me the basic gist or logic used in todays game to form lineups. Is it something that could be done in the game to a degree in a generic fashion?

Sent from my SM-G996U using Operation Sports mobile app

The "sabermetic" idea that a lot of teams loosely follow ends is as such:

Best hitter hitting 2nd

Of your next two best hitters, better on base guy goes leadoff, power guy goes cleanup

Next best hits fifth

Next best hits third (this is where a lot of teams still lean towards tradition; 3 hole is often still one of the better hitters)

Next best 6th, then 7th, then 8th, then 9th

A lot of teams take other things into account, though. Take Acuña. He shouldn't really be batting leadoff. But he has historically hit much better there. The Angels like to go Fletcher/Ohtani/Trout/Rendon which doesn't really go traditional or sabermetic.

Also I think it's important to note that in the grand scheme of things, batting order isn't really all that important. If guys are hitting, you'll score runs, if they aren't, you won't. The difference between a random batting order and an ideal one is like a win per season.

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[catfish9-5]

How MLB lineups are formed nowadays

#7 & #8 guys are important as well cause they set table for #1 & #2 guys that get the most swings. IRL, I use some speed guys in 7-8 spots so #9 can move them if need and #1-2 see better pitches. I call 7 & 8 guys “rabbits”.


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[Mackrel829]

Re: How MLB lineups are formed nowadays

#7 & #8 guys are important as well cause they set table for #1 & #2 guys that get the most swings. IRL, I use some speed guys in 7-8 spots so #9 can move them if need and #1-2 see better pitches. I call 7 & 8 guys “rabbits”.


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I consider this too. They might not necessarily have great getting stats (if they did, they'd likely be higher in the line up), but if they at least have speed and can run the bases, you can take a patient approach through the back of the order and try to get them on base with a walk. Doesn't hurt that you should be driving the pitch count up at the same time too.

[DarthRambo]

Re: How MLB lineups are formed nowadays

The "sabermetic" idea that a lot of teams loosely follow ends is as such:

Best hitter hitting 2nd

Of your next two best hitters, better on base guy goes leadoff, power guy goes cleanup

Next best hits fifth

Next best hits third (this is where a lot of teams still lean towards tradition; 3 hole is often still one of the better hitters)

Next best 6th, then 7th, then 8th, then 9th

A lot of teams take other things into account, though. Take Acuña. He shouldn't really be batting leadoff. But he has historically hit much better there. The Angels like to go Fletcher/Ohtani/Trout/Rendon which doesn't really go traditional or sabermetic.

Also I think it's important to note that in the grand scheme of things, batting order isn't really all that important. If guys are hitting, you'll score runs, if they aren't, you won't. The difference between a random batting order and an ideal one is like a win per season.

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Hmm yeah Idk about that. If you flipped a team's batting order upside down you're saying they will only lose one more game than they would otherwise with a more logical batting order??

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[Detroit Tigers]

How MLB lineups are formed nowadays

Hmm yeah Idk about that. If you flipped a team's batting order upside down you're saying they will only lose one more game than they would otherwise with a more logical batting order??

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I think it’s more like: Give guys who are hitting more at-bats and give guys who aren’t fewer at-bats; the rest is details. Whether your best hitter is hitting 2, 3 or 4 by itself isn’t wining you games, is the idea.

Whether it’s actually only one game I dunno, but five or less wouldn’t surprise me at all.

[DarthRambo]

Re: How MLB lineups are formed nowadays

I think it’s more like: Give guys who are hitting more at-bats and give guys who aren’t fewer at-bats; the rest is details. Whether your best hitter is hitting 2, 3 or 4 by itself isn’t wining you games, is the idea.

Whether it’s actually only one game I dunno, but five or less wouldn’t surprise me at all.

Yeah that makes sense. Thanks for everyone's responses. I got what I was looking for and appreciate the insight.

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[Caulfield]

Re: How MLB lineups are formed nowadays

I think it’s more like: Give guys who are hitting more at-bats and give guys who aren’t fewer at-bats; the rest is details. Whether your best hitter is hitting 2, 3 or 4 by itself isn’t wining you games, is the idea.

Whether it’s actually only one game I dunno, but five or less wouldn’t surprise me at all.

yeah, I want my first 5 or 6 batting to be my 5 or 6 best guys at getting on base by any manner or fashion necessary

the next 3 or 4 are batting because, well, the rules say they must lol

I think where a manager maximizes wins through a batting order is how they construct it in regards to how much 9 personalities mesh chemistry-wise. you're always gonna have guys that are going to be more comfortable leading off, or batting second or third or fifth or cleanup, maybe even to the point they're prima donnas about

I'm just not sure if the Show can replicate that, in a video game

[DarthRambo]

Re: How MLB lineups are formed nowadays

yeah, I want my first 5 or 6 batting to be my 5 or 6 best guys at getting on base by any manner or fashion necessary

the next 3 or 4 are batting because, well, the rules say they must lol

I think where a manager maximizes wins through a batting order is how they construct it in regards to how much 9 personalities mesh chemistry-wise. you're always gonna have guys that are going to be more comfortable leading off, or batting second or third or fifth or cleanup, maybe even to the point they're prima donnas about

I'm just not sure if the Show can replicate that, in a video game

Very true. That would be awesome if they ever added in player morale in this game. And based on where they hit it could possibly lower their morale, thus their attributes take a minor hit.

NHL game does this really well in my opinion. On that game when you send up or down a player it affects other's morale based on their chemistry together. I'd love to see it in the MLB game one day.

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[alston4659]

Re: How MLB lineups are formed nowadays

Didn't they have that in last year's game where morale would be effected by where a player batted in the lineup? I could have sworn that was the case in the last two games atleast.

Very true. That would be awesome if they ever added in player morale in this game. And based on where they hit it could possibly lower their morale, thus their attributes take a minor hit.

NHL game does this really well in my opinion. On that game when you send up or down a player it affects other's morale based on their chemistry together. I'd love to see it in the MLB game one day.

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[Detroit Tigers]

How MLB lineups are formed nowadays

^^^^yeah I think it’s even still there. Noticed Javy Baez had the upset red face on the morale tab but it was because I hadn’t placed him in the lineup at all yet (traded for him).

Sneaking suspicion morale works the same way it always has it’s just hidden now. Just guessing though. Something is certainly effecting it because it’s there and it changes, just no indicators as to what.