How in the Hell Does a Major League Team

Have 3 starters who can't even bat .200 and 1 barely over that? Just noticed Boston's lineup and saw that.  Leadoff DH is hitting .162, 2nd baseman coming in at .207, left fielder .197 and the catcher at .195  How are any of these guys even in the majors? 

after a historic 15 game win streak the Red Sox is due for some regression specially now that they hit the road. Everytime I check their pregame line up it doesnt make sense for them to compete even against the pathetic Athletics. 

I wasn't asking about a winning streak or regression. I'm trying to figure out how a major league team has half it's lineup batting under .200. How is that even allowed? Those players should be in triple A at best. It's a fucking disgrace if you are a so called pro and you can't even bat your weight. They need to find a new career if they suck that bad

I hear ya about the abysmal averages.

I looked it up and they may have in their contract a no demotion clause preventing them from the minors.

Also..if they have been with the team 5 years that can prevent it also.

Christian Koss for the Giants is batting .115

I see pitchers tend to just throw strikes only when they see a low BA up. No dancing around the corner stuff just going right at them.

To walk a ,115 batter should tell the manager to get the pitcher out.

The approximate batting average for all MLB players combined has gone from .260 to .240 in the last dozen years or so. Is it the pitching, the swing for the fence or the ball or bats. I have no idea. It seems as though many times a game looks like it will go under a gas can shows up and well you know what happens next.

The approximate batting average for all MLB players combined has gone from .260 to .240 in the last dozen years or so. Is it the pitching, the swing for the fence or the ball or bats. I have no idea. It seems as though many times a game looks like it will go under a gas can shows up and well you know what happens next.

@gotime

 The hitting philosophy over that stretch of time has shifted to sacrificing BA for power, aka Slug%.

For instance, in a 2 strike count, their swing doesn't change. Back in the day, guys would choke up in a 2 strike count. Poke the ball wherever. The "get on and get em over" philosophy doesn't exist in today's baseball.

I'm not advocating, or against either strategies. Both have their pros n cons.

Injuries to regular starters probably plays a role...

Answer: Major league pitching is so much more efficient. Velocity is much higher than 20 years ago. And speed combined with a good change-up or splitter is devastating for most hitters. Simply put, it's harder to hit a baseball consistently than it used to be.

And factor in analytics. Every pitcher has access to a computer print-out of every hitters' weaknesses. It wasn't like that 20 years ago.

And factor in bullpen use. Most starters won't go through a line-up 3 times. Most hitters don't adjust to the pitching changes.

It's a different ballgame now. Bunting is a lost art. You see it all the time. Men on 1st and 2nd, no outs, and they're at the plate swing for the fences and hitting into a DP. Analytics values a 3 run homer over a sac bunt. Bullshit.

RT2

I heard during a game that James Wood has faced more pitchers in his 3 year career than Ted Williams did in his 19 year career (minus a few years for military service). 

That's obviously the case for a bunch of young hitters.

The variety alone would have to lower batting averages you would think.

How does a major league team go up 6-0 and end up down 8-6? 

Two of the last three games, same shit…

and Harper has the balls to say “we need help”…

it’s never about self improvement, nope…just go buy (or rent) another bat or arm to make the team better rather than taking ownership, looking at yourself in the mirror and TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FUCKING IMPROVE…I am so annoyed at these “professionals”…and the sport worries about ABS, pitch clocks, “days of rest” and expanded wildcard for the playoffs?!?!

MAN THE FUCK UP