They call him "Kerry Bonds."
So why is Detroit Tigers slugger Kerry Carpenter hitting leadoff?
It's not about the first at bat of the game for the Tigers. It's about the 19th.
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Why is Kerry Carpenter hitting leadoff?
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch is thinking ahead with his choice to bat Carpenter atop the order.
He told reporters Tuesday that it's all about the third time through the order.
"Carp at the top gives him the best chance to create that stress in the nineteenth at-bat," Hinch said.
The thinking is this: Mariners starter Logan Gilbert is likely to get through the order at least two times.
But when the third time comes around, Carpenter's strong platoon splits will make Seattle manager Dan Wilson think about what he wants to do more quickly.
Hitters generally perform better against pitchers the third time through the order. And Carpenter is much worse against lefties.
If Wilson pulls Gilbert, maybe it's an advantage for the Mariners for a batter, but then Gilbert isn't in the game any longer.
If Wilson leaves Gilbert in, it's just a little earlier in the proceedings that Carpenter gets a third chance to do damage.
It's definitely a cool strategy, and it's a pivot point in the game to circle. If it's close when the game approaches Carpenter's third plate appearance, it'll be fascinating to see what both managers decide to do.
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