|
So on this road trip so far, Mientkiewicz has the following line in 16 at bats:
.313 AVG/.389 OBP/.625 SLG/1.014 OPS
During the most recent homestand in 20 AB:
.150 AVG/.227 OBP/.200 SLG/.427 OPS
The road trip prior to that in 20 AB:
.300 AVG/.333 OBP/.450 SLG/.783
It goes on and on. There are no homestands where he's batted better than .250.
Overall
OPS at home (90 AB): .471
Away (95 AB): .833
He's had only 3 XBH at home compared to 9 away.
Ladies and gentleman, I submit to you that playing at Shea is the root of Mientkiewicz's problem. His hot/cold streaks exactly coincide with where he's playing. I think it's gone on too long for this to be a fluke. So what do we do about it? Well, is it crazy to platoon someone based on H/A splits?
Or what about trying to get Mientkiewicz to do something different with the ball at Shea? Players routinely make adjustments and you'd think if Acta worked with him on taking the ball the other way or trying to pull it or whatever before games at Shea, we'd be able to have SOME impact without totally ruining his swing, right? Or maybe it's not the stadium, it's the fans and he's pressing for them. He sucked at Fenway last year, too, so maybe we should have someone explore that possibility . . .
Anyway, until we trade for a young 1B, we're stuck with Mientkiewicz/Daubach, and our coaches should be aware that SOMETHING is going on when Mientkiewicz hits at Shea. Let's work on it, boys. If we can get Mientkiewcz to produce a .833 OPS everywhere and not just away from Shea, we'll be a much improved team. Hell, if we can get him to produce a .650 OPS at Shea and a .833 OPS everywhere else, we'll be a much improved team.
edited for a little expansion, clarification, and a comma in the subject.
| 
