Matty on third

[AZZenny]

BB starts Matty at third on opening day instead of Counsel. I can't believe he would put out an Opening Day lineup that doesn't start CC! Brenly's pissing me off early this season!

 

[DbaxJ]

Well Zen, it could just be that CC isnt up to 100% and why push it. He is on the team, he can play off the bench, but isnt totally ready to go ahead full steam? That may be the reason.. its a long season, only 162 games to go..... CC will be starting full time before too long...

 

[RLakin]

Originally posted by DbaxJ
That may be the reason.. its a long season, only 162 games to go..... CC will be starting full time before too long...

The reason, as stated by Brenly, is that Matt had a above average spring and had a hard winter, therefore he deserves the start. As to the 1st reason, Williams HR and RBI totals per at bats are nearly identical to his 3-year totals and he actually had a better spring in 2001. Didn't help him then, won't help him now, either.

I can live w/ him in the 6th spot, although I'd much rather have Counsell and his .360 OBP behind Tony Womack and his sub .320. And my main problem w/ Brenly is always telling one thing and doing the other. Entering the spring Craig Counsell was the starter and Brenly has stated that he is now 100%. That being said, how can Williams get the start when he has done nothing outside his statistical norm of 3 years.

I have a feeling it's probably the 2nd reason, though. After all there was a mention of Williams divorce, which really deserves a mention in an opening day news story.

Shameless.

 

[FORKTUNG]

Yeah but Nomo is a RHP. I dont see the advantage here in having RHB Williams starting.

Looks more like the good old boy network working to me and goes against what we've heard is supposed to happen with Counsell being the #1 at third.

 

[schillingfan]

I have no clue why BB wouldn't start Counsell against a RHP. Not that it would have made any difference. Caught the end of the game on MLB tv and the D-Backs looked pretty clueless up there against him. Surprising as that's they way they usually look against lefties.