Should the Nationals platoon LF?

[Slateman]

With the acquisition of Howie Kendrick, the Nationals now have a viable option against LHP. When/if Werth comes off the DL, who should play LF?

None of these players is anything special, defensively. In fact, I'd say that you'd be looking replacing any of them with one of our good defensive outfielders (Michael Taylor, Brian Goodwin, Andrew Stevenson) in the late innings.

So from an offensive standpoint, should Werth be starting at all?

Jayson Werth prior to injury: .262/.367/.446 (.259/.347/.442 vs RHP; .286/.483/.476 vs LHP)

Adam Lind has been a monster this year. .336/.387/.582 against RHP
Hedrick is having a great year with limited playing time: .342/.444   /.474 vs LHP

Statistically, a Lind/Hedrick platoon would be vastly superior to Jayson Werth this year. Defensively, it would be slightly worse than Werth alone. In either case, I think you have a late game, defensive substitution.

 Should Werth be benched? Should he start against LHP, leaving Kendrick to pinch hit off the bench?

[dcpatti]

Moot point till Werth comes back from the DL.

[Optics]

Assuming Werth actually comes back, he deserves some time to see if he can get back into a grove of things. He's still a natural 2 hole hitter that could really do damage hitting in front of Harper.

[Slateman]

Assuming Werth actually comes back, he deserves some time to see if he can get back into a grove of things. He's still a natural 2 hole hitter that could really do damage hitting in front of Harper.

What does "natural 2 hole hitter mean?" What numbers do you actually hope for?

July of 2014 was his best month as a National: .337/.446/.687. Right now Lind has been doing similar all season in spot duty and Kendrick is close as well. Do you really think Werth is going to hit like that again?

[spidernat]

What does "natural 2 hole hitter mean?"

[welch]

I've begun wondering that Werth will not be back until late August. Meanwhile:

Harper / Goodwin / Kendrick in OF, if Kendrick is healthy

**

Goodwin / Taylor / Harper whenever MAT returns, platooning Goodwin and Kendrick

**

Mixing in Old Hoss Raburn, Goodwin, Kendrick, Lind, assuming Raburn and Kendrick are healthy.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

On paper, there's a good argument for a Kendrick / Lind

<--------

and you know how much I like

<--------

That said, they both seem comfortable coming off the bench.  That would be a different role for Werth, and I don't know if he needs regular playing time to hone his eye.  His eye is the key to his approach.  As tough as Werth is defensively, he's better than Kendrick and Lind in left.   I've convinced myself that Werth should be the starter full-time.  I suspect Kendrick will be used as a super-utility down the stretch giving the regulars days off and pinch hitting.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

(Image removed from quote.)

I think she has a commercial now, along with Zobrist's wife, for Zillow or some real estate company talking about relocations and how helpful the company is.

[bluestreak]

(Image removed from quote.)

Who is this?

[spidernat]

I think she has a commercial now, along with Zobrist's wife, for Zillow or some real estate company talking about relocations and how helpful the company is.

I saw that.

[spidernat]

Who is this?

Chase Utley's wife.