With Joey Votto coming back, hopefully Tuesday, can we get a more consistant lineup!?!?

How can we have our leadoff hitter with a .292 and our 2 hole guy with a .302 OBP??

How about this...

CF - Paul (cant hurt to give him a try)
2B - Phillips
1B - Votto
LF - Ludwick
3B - Frazier
RF - Bruce
SS - Cozart
C - Hanigan / Mes

or

2b - Phillips
3B - Frazier
1B - Votto
LF - Ludwick
RF - Bruce
SS - Cozart
CF - Stubbs
C - Hanigan / Mes

In the end, it only matters that Baker will stick with the Cozart / Stubbs 1-2 "punch" at the top. The old man needs to go!

The funny part is how Stubbs has had an awesome OBP (.375) since Votto has been out of the lineup. For the year he's also got a .324 OBP in the 2 spot, which isn't fantastic, but it's good enough considering the fact that his speed is most valuable in front of Votto (distracting pitchers, getting in scoring position). I say, all things considered, leave him there.

The biggest problem has been, and remains, the leadoff spot. Without question, that needs to change - we should try BP or Paul as you suggested, or even Hanigan. I like Cozart a lot but he is not getting on base enough to lead off, and Dusty can't use speed as an excuse to keep him there.

Put Phillips at lead off, and let Ludwick be the cleanup hitter.

Part of me wants to have Bruce hit second, simply to see if that can start his bat up.

Don't like your first lineup, really like the second.

I will be at the game tuesday. would love to see Votto back in the lineup. BTW Stubbs is our CF. Paul is off the bench. You play him too much and he will be exposed. He has done a nice job in his role, and Dusty will keep it that way.

You cannot have Hanigan lead off, he is just to slow. I could see moving him up from 8th but their is no way you can put someone that slow at the top of the order. The best leadoff hitter we have on the team is BP and if Votto was in the lineup BP should bat lead off but with Votto out we just have to make do with either Cozart or Stubbs at lead off unfortunately. Hanny would be the last person other than the pitcher you would want leading off,lol.

I am still of the belief to bat Votto 4th. It gives the reds three chances to put a runner in front of your best RISP. If that fails he is your best OBP player to lead off the second.

BTW, why is Rolen so important to this lineup? The reds really struggle without him in the lineup. I'm guessing the reds are like 50 games above .500 with Rolen starting since his arrival.

He is one of the few guys who actually goes up there with an AB plan, not just SESH.

I agree but he is only one player but his presence seems to ignite this lineup.