The Reds lineup has been posted, and Paul Janish is batting second.
Dusty Baker is old-school, and is prone to traditional lineups: center fielder leads off, shortstop bats second. But he said at the beginning of the season that he would bat Janish 8th, except maybe against lefties, when he might bat him second.
The pitcher today is Kyle McClellan - not a lefty. Janish is 0 for 2 in his career against McClellan, so it's not like he hits him well (if a sample size that small means anything, which it doesn't).
Dusty had been moving Janish up in the lineup sometimes, from 8th to 7th. He said it was to give Janish better pitches to hit, but it was probably also that catcher Ryan Hanigan wasn't hitting well. And now the two-hole. Maybe Janish is earning Dusty's trust.
UPDATE: Reds beat writer John Fay has an explanation of sorts:
JANISH SECOND: Paul Janish hit in the second spot for the first time this year.
“It’s kind of how it worked put,” Baker said, “with Scotty (Rolen) hitting sixth and who we’re facing. It’s the best lineup on today. If Scotty’s playing tomorrow, then Janish will go back to sixth. I wanted to given Scotty a couple days down in the lineup before I put him behind Joey (Votto).”
When Rolen goes back to cleanup, Brandon Phillips will hit in the No. 2 spot.
Sixth? Janish was supposed to bat eighth. I guess he's moving up in the world. At least in Dusty's estimation.
Labels: Paul Janish
