(1) your #5 hitter, batting behind Alex Rodriguez, MUST be a lefthanded hitter, and

(2) Xavier Nady cannot bat higher than 6th.
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AAARGGGH! This sounds like one of those logic games puzzles on the LSAT!

Much of the problem has to do with the current obsession over lefty/righty staggered batting orders. The rationale of which is that it prevents opposing managers from getting the “platoon advantage” (to use Bill James’s phrase) for more than one batter when bringing in a reliever. While conceding that such a strategy may have some benefit in later innings, it does tend to create some curious designs in the arrangement of batting orders—two in particular being

(1) your #5 hitter, batting behind Alex Rodriguez, MUST be a lefthanded hitter, and

(2) Xavier Nady cannot bat higher than 6th.

Of course, with Posada and Matsui out for most the season that left Girardi with just two options for his #5 hitter: Giambi or Cano. But now with Matsui back I really don’t see why Giambi should still be batting 5th. It doesn’t make sense. It’s counterproductive. And if Girardi can’t see that, well…..