what is up with hafner?

[great gretzky]

why isn't he starting, this is getting frustrating.

[logan]

he has had a neck strain. according to the clev plain dealer he was available to ph last nite if needed.

from roto times

Although Travis Hafner (1B) Cle missed his second straight game yesterday with a strained neck, he was available to pinch hit, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

[shortsavage]

he has had a neck strain. according to the clev plain dealer he was available to ph last nite if needed.

from roto times

Although Travis Hafner (1B) Cle missed his second straight game yesterday with a strained neck, he was available to pinch hit, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Yeah, I heard that he could have played yesterday, but because Cleveland does not consider him a centerpiece in the lineup against lefties, they opted to give him another day of rest. Now the Indians have an off day today. Expect Hafner's neck to be fine tomorrow. However, the squad is facing their 5,000th lefty of the season, so he will probably hit 6th .

[shortsavage]

I just dug up Hafner's splits from the last two seasons.

In 2003, Hafner hit .190 against lefties last season with an OPS of 629 (opposed to .280 with an OPS of 886 against righties).

This season, Hafner is hitting .261 against lefties with an OPS of 629 (opposed to .361 with an OPS of 1146 against righties).

So, he is still much better against righties, but he is now decent against lefties.

Here are the OPSs (against lefties) of the players who typically hit ahead of Hafner in the order when a lefty throws:

Ron Belliard, 917
Omar Vizquel, 666
Matt Lawton, 747
Victor Martinez, 858
Casey Blake, 822

Thus, batting Hafner 6th against lefties is justified. Hopefully he can progess enough next season to remain fixated at the top of the lineup in 2005.

[demoflauchy]

I just dug up Hafner's splits from the last two seasons.

In 2003, Hafner hit .190 against lefties last season with an OPS of 629 (opposed to .280 with an OPS of 886 against righties).

This season, Hafner is hitting .261 against lefties with an OPS of 629 (opposed to .361 with an OPS of 1146 against righties).

So, he is still much better against righties, but he is now decent against lefties.

Here are the OPSs (against lefties) of the players who typically hit ahead of Hafner in the order when a lefty throws:

Ron Belliard, 917
Omar Vizquel, 666
Matt Lawton, 747
Victor Martinez, 858
Casey Blake, 822

Thus, batting Hafner 6th against lefties is justified. Hopefully he can progess enough next season to remain fixated at the top of the lineup in 2005.

Great info, thanks.

I just got Hafner off the WW after trading Helton and Sheffield (got Vlad and Hudson)