Early Inning Pinch Hitters

[GDavis]

It's been well documented that pinch hitters get an extra boost in power in their first at-bat.  Because of this, I believe it's proper strategy to save pinch hitters until later in the game.  If you have a weak batter coming up in the early innings with no one on base I say you let him take his hacks.  Save your pinch hitters' first at-bats for a key situation when there are runners on base.

[BeefMaster]

Depends on the pinch-hitter.  If he's better than the regular guy even without the power boost (i.e. Tony Armas), it makes no sense to leave him on the bench.  If it's somebody more questionable, though, like Randy Bush, then it probably makes sense to wait for the proper clutch situation - heck, if the weak hitter manages to beat out an infield single, he may actually set something up for either another PH or one of the regular power guys.  Of course, if you're about to 10-run your opponent, there's no sense in prolonging the inevitable, so the aforementioned "clutch situation" could be in the early innings.

[MarquisEXB]

I feel the exact opposite. As the old addage goes a win in May = a win in September. A run in the first inning means that you'll have to score one less run later on. Why waste ABs with a weak hitter while your stud sits on the bench? I take out the weak hitters early & save the poor bench hitters for pitchers.

Mike

[GDavis]

Depends on the player of course.  You don't want go with Barrett and Owen while Armas and Burks ride the pine.  But when there's a grey area, like PHing for JUribe then it's best to save 'em.

[fknmclane]

Uribe sucks.  He's a leadoff lefty and is slow as fuck.  No advantage to leaving him in.

The only time I leave a guy in to bat is if the matchup is favorable, ie righty against lefty and vice versa.  Therefore, I sometimes leave Buckner to hit instead of putting his ass on the pine where he belongs and letting Hendu bat.

Don't get me wrong, I do love leaving someone on the bench for late-inning fireworks but fielding the best team at all times is the most important aspect of the game.

That's just my humble opinion.

[Reds]

Too many factors play into the decision to say one way is the right way....Likefor example....with Boston,I say get the bench in early....and get em alot of at bats...but lets use someone like Mazzelli on the Mets as an example...the guy is awesome in the clutch...if you need runs late in the game, he is great to score runs with.... But most guys I'd rather get the most at bats as possible....So I say earlier the better generally

[Gantry]

Everybody brought up some good points, well done!  Good to talk RBI strategy....

From a straight-pitch perspective, you want the better hitters up early and often.  Get the PH in immediately and swing swing swing.   Some exceptions do happen - like leaving in a righty hitter when they start a lefty.  Also you could reserve the PH for a clutch boost if the skills are very close, such as Smalley for Gagne.  But for the most part, we hit the PH early..

[fknmclane]

I love talking RBI strategy.  

[fknmclane]

Question about pinch hitters.  I'm aware they get a boost of power their first time up but do they keep said boost if they bat twice in the same inning?