It’s key for a lineup to have depth. The more positions you can fill with offensive positives, guys who can really keep the rally going, the tougher it is for an opposing pitcher or staff to successfully work their way through it once—let alone multiple times.
But it doesn’t hurt to have a good, old-fashioned meat-grinder right in the middle of it, either.
As Jerry Dipoto has continued to stretch that lineup out, working to eliminate easy outs piece by piece, the heart of it keeps on beating. Depending on how the leadoff position shakes out, you may see a 2–5 that goes Jean Segura, Robinson Canó, Nelson Cruz, Kyle Seager.