i really doubt wash is very much into blogs.

on the other hand, it wouldn't surprise me if JD made some intern read it for him.

Some of you people are either way too cynical or way too naive. Of course people in the organization read BBTIA and Lonestarball. As someone pointed out, Chuck Morgan doesn't just read both sites plus Newberg's forums; he also posts.

Here's a chat transcript with JD where he says he reads and likes Lonestarball: http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php?option=com_altcaster&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=bfca295e99&ipod=y
Ctrl F "lonestarball" if you don't want to read the whole thing.

Not too crazy to assume he checks this site out too. No guarantee Wash reads them, and no guarantee anyone in the org pays attention to what we say in the comments, but yeah...

Andrus - SS
Gentry - CF
Hamilton - LF
Beltre - 3B
Murphy - DH
Cruz - RF
Kinsler - 2B
Napoli - C
Moreland - 1B

We'll see soon enough.

The only thing I can say is if Michael Young is going to play then put him at around the 8th or 9th spot in the lineup. I've defended Young for years and I do like him on the team, butt this year his current spots has resulted in too many double plays when Beltre an Cruz are on base. I'm hoping this year will be his Jeter Year where he has a sub-par year and then next year he'll come out and torch the opposition. With that said If he stays where he's at I'll be rooting for him.

if the decision makers do read this then i hope the one thing they take away from it, above all else, is that gentry needs to be playing CF every day.

THREE THINGS FOR THIS TEAM TO DO TO HAVE POST SEASON SUCCESS:

1. <Andurs> Lead-Off--More speed than Kinsler, rarely hits HR but base hits...perfect lead off hitter. Drop Kinsler to two....hits with more power, more RBI opportunities for team

2. <Cruz> no longer in the outfield....he is killing this team defensively and giving up unnecessary runs. If he does play RF, for God's sake get him out in late innings with a lead.

3. <Young> has to be dropped in the batting order...prefer to see him in the role best suited for this team in post season....a RH bat off the bench. Perfect Place for MY.

4. <Hamilton> Bring in some prayer clubs to meet with him before the game....we need him focused for every game in the post season.

You can't have Napoli catch when Yu has thrown eight straight quality starts with Soto behind the plate, especially given that Yu gave up 13 ER in his previous two starts with Napoli at catcher. Soto needs to catch.

Yup. Soto needs to catch Yu Darvish. He's in a groove with him behind the plate.

@Yu: I like your lineup. But remember Saunders is a lefty. So here's what I'd run out:

Andrus - SS
Gentry - CF
Hamilton - LF
Beltre - 3B
Cruz - RF
Kinsler - 2B
Napoli - 1B
Soto - C
Young - DH

But what do I know?

Creating our own line ups with the expectation Ron Washington is reading these posts ignores an obvious point. Michael Young would have sat a long time ago if Wash were seeking our advice.

My line up change starts with the manager. Fix that and who knows where this can go.

JD, I'm addressing JD because there is no way I would believe WASH or Nolan use computers. JD, I have faith in you to make the right call and convince ownership that we need new direction on the field FIRST and foremost. Beyond that I am willing to let the FA's go in the wind. Replace them each with a quality player or sign Grienke and another Ace. Pitching, pitching, pitching. If Darvish 'pitches' his game today no one can beat the Rangers, period. Not even WASH can screw it up if Darvish pitches.

Moreland 1B
Young SS
Snyder 3B
Soto DH
Martin CF
Gentry LF
Olt RF
Profar 2B
Martinez C

Scratch Yu and start Lowe.

I wasn't suggesting anyone would take suggestions we make, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone reads them.

Actually, I wonder how often they read our "suggestions" and think to themselves, "man, those guys are dumb."

The official lineup tonight:
2B Kinsler
SS Andrus
LF Hamilton
3B Beltre
RF Cruz
1B Young
DH Napoli
C Soto
CF Gentry

Wow. Pretty surprised they actually sat Murphy in a big game like this. He's 0-4 with 2 walks vs. Saunders. But I think we'll see him PH at some point for Soto. Martinez is on the roster as 3rd catcher.

What I'd like to see:
Gentry CF
Andrus SS
Kinsler 2B
Beltre 3B
Hamilton LF
Cruz RF
Napoli 1B
Young DH
Soto C

With Murphy as PH, Martin as PR, and Profar as a huge wildcard. If Beltre can't play 3B tonight I'd prefer Profar at 3B and Young on the bench.

Personally I think they should have put Murphy in there at DH instead of Napoli, he's hit LHP a whole lot better. Maybe they think that Napoli could come up big in this game because there have been some moments in the last few weeks of the season where he's looked very good at the plate.

This may not be the lineup I would use tonight against a lefty, but my base lineup would look SOMETHING like this...

1. Murphy- LF
2. Beltre- 3B
3. Hamilton- DH
4. Napoli- C
5. Gentry- CF
6. Moreland- 1B
7. Cruz- RF
8. Andrus- SS
9. Kinsler/Profar- 2B

Thats just right now. It could change.

Gentry batting 5th?

Pure genius.