For the first time this season, Vernon Wells got the day off on Wednesday for Toronto’s Canada Day matinee against the Tampa Bay Rays. In other words, manager Cito Gaston had to pencil in someone else’s name in the No. 3 slot in the lineup (Wells has batted in the 3-hole since Alex Rios was moved down to sixth in the order). Gaston’s choice? Adam Lind.
Not a bad choice.
Lind went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and a pair or runs scored in helping the Blue Jays snap a four game losing streak and win, 5-0, over the Rays. It was a solid debut in the three-spot for Lind. Debut, we say, because Gaston is reportedly going to stick with Lind in that spot as the Blue Jays move forward. Wells, meanwhile, is expected to move down to fifth in the order starting Friday against the Yankees.
Wells has struggled for most of the 2009 season. So it wasn’t too surprising to see those struggles continue when the 30-year-old was moved to the No. 3 spot after Rios was bumped down in the order. In 17 games in the role, Wells batted just .243 (18-for-74) with two home runs, eight RBIs, four walks and 12 strikeouts.
Prior to that, Rios had batted .261 (66-for-253) with seven home runs and 27 RBIs in 61 games manning the 3-hole. In other words, the production the Jays have received in that spot – where a team’s best all-around hitter is supposed to go – has been pretty dismal.
So, Gaston will give Lind a shot at turning that around. In 78 games this season, Lind has batted .315 with 16 homers and 53 RBIs. In addition, he leads the team in doubles (25), extra-base hits (41) and OPS (.946).
On the surface, it seems like a good move. Obviously, Lind’s numbers are solid. And the move also gets a left-handed bat up higher in the order. However, that raises the question of whether or not Lind can hit well against lefties. So far, he’s batted .319 (29-for-91) against southpaws. But he’s walked just five times compared with 22 strikeouts in those situations, and his OPS is much lower (.827) against lefties than it is against right-hander pitchers (.977). However, a look at Wells’ numbers against lefties kind of makes that moot … .195 (15-for-77), .259 on-base percentage, .545 OPS.
Look for Lind in the No. 3 spot at the new Yankee Stadium come Friday …
