Managers and coaches spend countless hours exploring, debating and testing various batting order combinations yet the science is far from exact. Here’s the short version of a winning lineup:

Leadoff Hitter — He has one job: Get on base! A speedy leadoff hitter has an advantage, with the ability to steal and get in scoring position with nobody out. He needs to work the count and must bunt both for a sacrifice and a hit. On a championship team, the leadoff hitter must be successful in RBI situations knowing that might happen just once a game. We are extremely happy with our leadoff hitter, Felipe Lopez, because of his improving on-base percentage; he also can bunt and steal bases.

2nd — The number two hitter must take pitches (allowing the lead-off hitter to steal), bunt successfully and be able to hit and run and hit behind the runner. Ability to hit late in the count is critical. He also needs to handle a fastball by sending a grounder between first and second base. We always prefer a high-on-base percentage player hitting here as well. Roberto Alomar was one of my favorite No. 2 hitters.

3rd — Here you need your best all-around hitter and your best all-around athlete ... a professional hitter. A player capable of driving in critical runs with the pressure on the line. Your third must also be a power guy. If the game is on the line and runners are in scoring position ... and their best pitcher is throwing ... we want Ryan Zimmerman at bat.

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4th — The clean-up hitter. This is where you look for a guy with mental toughness. Your fourth hitter must thrive in pressure situations. Not necessarily your best all-around hitter, this player is your RBI king. He can carry the team for long stretches and he’s the one opposing pitchers (and managers) fear the most.

5th — If you’ve got a good hitter, one with pop and production, but one who doesn’t perform well in pressure situations, put him here. On a championship team, a good No. 5 will have the same numbers as your No. 4 when the season ends. Great offensive teams have three impact bats batting 3rd, 4th and 5th.

6th and 7th — These are generally interchangeable. Pick your good hitters who may have trouble hitting in pressure positions. Here, managers consider match-up situations (even with bullpen) and the importance of left vs. right-handed batters. This is a good spot to put a young player who could develop into a second or fifth hitter.

8th — This is an often misunderstood, and undervalued, position. But on a championship team, your eighth must be productive. Bat discipline is important. With runners in scoring position — and the pitcher up next! — this batter must hit strikes. If the eighth batter can get on base, it allows you to get the pitcher out of the way and possibly begin the next inning with your leadoff hitter.

9th — Pitchers — A pitcher needs to know how to advance runners by bunting effectively. Making contact with the ball can lead to great things.

As told to The Examiner’s John Keim.

Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden provides an exclusive column to The Examiner each week, ranging on topics from the Nats to the state of Major League Baseball.