I actually am starting to think that Rickie Weeks has something in his possession that Ned Yost doesn't want anyone to know about. Maybe its a picture of Ned with a teddy bear asleep in the clubhouse. Maybe its Yost at a party in a Cubs jersey. Maybe Ned Yost owes Rickie Weeks a favor because Rickie let Ned have the last sac of Big League Chew. I don't know what it is, but the numbers don't lie. Here they are:

Batting:

Batting Avg. Vs. Left-Handed-Pitching (LHP)=.256

Avg. Vs. RHP=.222

Perhaps more important stat to gauge a lead-off hitter is their on-base-percentage ((Walks+Hits)/(Total Plate Appearances)), or OBP:

OBP Vs. LHP=.382

OBP Vs. RHP= .315

It is important to note that he has just under half as many at-bats against lefties, but the numbers are staggering. He is much much better against lefties than righties. He should be in a platoon with Ray Durham, who is much better against righties than lefties. Ray vs. Righties, Rickie vs. Lefties.

The target for any lead-off hitter should be around .360. Ray Durham's numbers with the Brewers have not been great, but I credit that too the move, a small number of at-bats, and the uncertainty of playing time. He is clearly pressing. However, if you look at his numbers for the entire year he has been far superior.

Durham: Avg. vs. RHP=.304 (.082 points higher)

Durham: OBP vs. RHP=.382 (.067 points higher)

The platoon seems obvious to me.

Also, Rickie is a liability in the field. Ray's Fielding percentage is nine points higher. Rickie weeks has the fifth most errors (10, most is 12), and the seventh highest fielding percentage (.981, best is .991), both stats amongst regular 2nd basemen in the National League.

Note: Failing to turn a double play is not an error because "you cannot assume a double play". If you added his numberous botched throws to Prince his error numbers would be higher. 

It gets better: This season in At bats termed "close and late" (results in the 7th inning or later with the batting team either ahead by one run, tied or with the potential tying run at least on deck) here is how the two score:

Rickie: Avg.=.246, OBP=.386 (57 At-Bats)

Ray: Avg.=.310, OBP=.397 (58 At-Bats)

Here are some more Ray is better at: 1. Avg. w/ runners in scoring position, 2. Avg. w/ runners on base, etc.

Tonight, I know Rickie went 4-5 including a lead-off home run. I know he has been hot lately, but I don't trust him in the clutch, and I don't trust him against righties; unless they are starting their first ever major league game like the Mets pitcher tonight.

This blog could go on and on about how little sense it makes to not platoon the two. It really makes me think Rickie has something on Ned, or maybe Ned is just that incompetent.

Note: I am not a MLB manager, and I am not a former MLB player, but look at the numbers!!!