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Re: Brandon Phillips, 30-30 guy?
I agree VR. I think Phillips is a perfect fit batting 6th. In my opinion, speed, paricularly when paired with a lower OBP, is best utilized low in the order. When is that stolen base more valuable? When the guy behind you has extra-base power and can drive you in from 1st base or when the guy behind you is a singles hitter (or worse)?
Stealing 2nd base in front of Adam Dunn is a smaller marginal gain of run expectancy than a stolen base ahead of Alex Gonzalez. Likewise, losing a baserunner in front of Dunn or Junior is more costly than losing one in front of Ross or Gonzalez.
Throw in his power and he's a natural fit at 5, 6, or 7.
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Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.
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