One popular subject of debate among A’s fans has been the team’s choice to start Robbie Grossman in left field. The switch-hitter doesn’t have the offensive numbers or the upside of some of Oakland’s other options at the position, and his defense is unspectacular at best.
Perhaps even more puzzling is the team’s decision to bat him high in the lineup. For his career, Grossman has been fantastic against lefties but merely okay against righties, yet when facing the latter he is consistently placed right in front of the team’s best hitters.
There has to be an explanation, and if not, there has to be a solution.