Panda Captures DH Job. Mistake?

One of the quirks of World Series play is the off-again, on-again relationship with the designated hitter. Being a postseason DH is kinda like being engaged to J-Lo: first you are, then you aren't then you are again.

Now personally, I don't like the DH. Baseball is nine guys. Ten is slowpitch softball. Unless they plan to put a keg behind second base, I ain't buying. But since Bud the Dud won't kick this loser to the curb, we're stuck with it during the stay in Arlington.

So for the offensively-challenged Giants (and that seems stupid to say after the last two games), that does means two things -- no potato hitting in the nine spot for our hurlers to toy with but an extra stick in the line-up on the attack side of the ledger.

The question: who should it be?

The baseball pundocrity is quoting sources saying Pablo Sandoval is going to be the guy. And while it may be the case that DHing is the best way to get his bat into the line-up for multiple swings, is this the right call?

I don't think so.

Bruce Bochy has pushed all the right buttons so far, but I think he's missing the boat here. My choice for DH is Pat Burrell.

Here's a rule regarding the DH that doesn't come up much in the AL (that league betwenn Triple A and the Majors). Hit for the DH, you lose him. That limits some of Bochy's manuverabilty. Make a move and the pitcher has to hit. End of advantage.

The glaring flaw in the Giants line-up is the need to pull Burrell for late defense. Wouldn't you rather get him the extra swings? I say keep the order intact and stick Aaron Rowand in the nine spot. Let Torres move to left and let Pat the Bat stay in the game. Rowand is still a better option that a pitcher, and with three legitimate center fielders to patrol the green, just about any ball hit in the air will have to get out or be caught.

Despite the Giants' offensive explosion, this is still a team that has to think first about pitching and defense. The Giants can't forget who they are.

So what about Panda? Considering his struggles this year, you gotta believe Bochy is hoping to catch the proverbial lightning in a bottle. If that's the case, do you want to lock him into the line-up or wouldn't you rather have that switch-hitting bat at your diposal at a time of your choosing?

There's no right or wrong, only opinion. But if Sandoval goes 0-for-4 and a ball to left gets down that a more fleet-footed outfielder would have gloved, I'll be back to say "I told you so."