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I can't imagine anyone is itching to take this GT, so I will.

Gametime is 6:05 on CSN.

Strange pitching matchup, because the Cubs are using a fill in spot starter tonight.

Ramon Ortiz (6-3, 4.26 at AAA Iowa)

vs.

Ross Detwiler (previously in AAA)

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Ortiz is 38 years old, and had a 1-2 record with a 6.30 ERA with the Dodgers in 2010.

Prior to that, he hasn't pitched in the majors since 2007.

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This will be Detwiler's first start for the Nationals this year, he's been 6-6 4.64 in Syracuse so far.

He has career stats for the Nationals of 2-9, 4.74.

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CarrieMuskat
#Cubs lineup for Tues: RF Johnson, 2B Baker, 3B Ramirez, C Soto, LF Soriano, CF Byrd, 1B Pena, SS Barney, P Ortiz

Looks like a night off for Castro, and Barney is in the 8 spot where he probably belongs.

But Soto in the 4 spot? What the hell?

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Good lineup.... Detwiler is a lefty right?

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Good lineup.... Detwiler is a lefty right?

Yes.

You like Soto in the 4 spot?

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Good lineup.... Detwiler is a lefty right?

yes he is... good lineup

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Good lineup.... Detwiler is a lefty right?

Yes.

You like Soto in the 4 spot?

yup, since 6/9 he's got like an 850OPS with a 500SLG and he absolutely crushes LHP --- 304/429/565/994 this year and 309/408/522/930 for his career


in a thread just a couple days ago, I proposed a nearly identical lineup, however Castro was in at SS batting 3rd vs LHP with everyone else getting knocked back 1 spot

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Good lineup.... Detwiler is a lefty right?

Yes.

You like Soto in the 4 spot?

yup, since 6/9 he's got like an 850OPS with a 500SLG and he absolutely crushes LHP --- 304/429/565/994 this year and 309/408/522/930 for his career


in a thread just a couple days ago, I proposed a nearly identical lineup, however Castro was in at SS batting 3rd vs LHP with everyone else getting knocked back 1 spot

Caught me off guard to see him batting there, but the numbers you have show it's a good move. Just surprised to see it when I looked at tonight's lineup.

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i haven't researched this... but doesn't it seem that the Cubs have way too many guys who crush against one side and then are terrible against the other side?

Soto, Soriano (past 2 years, pretty even career), Baker, DeWitt & Reed all hit LHP extremely well
Pena & Fukudome hit RHP very well

Fingers & Campana don't hit anyone well, then there's Barney who hits singles evenly from both sides, and thats about it

there's really only 2 guys that have even numbers vs both sides that should be in the lineup everyday Castro & Rammy and you can throw in Soto because he's a catcher and his lesser numbers are OK relative to position.... but still that's just way too many guys, especially against RHP, that are best as platoon players

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i haven't researched this... but doesn't it seem that the Cubs have way too many guys who crush against one side and then are terrible against the other side?

It does. Without looking it up, I'd guess that they have a disproportionate number compared to the other teams in MLB.

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Michelle Obama threw out the first pitch. She might have a better arm than Barack.

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Top 1st:

Reed flies out to left
Baker singles up the middle
Aramis grounds into DP

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Bottom 1st:

Bernadina singles to right
Espinosa singles to right, Bernadina stops at second
Zimmerman singles to right, bases loaded
Laynce Nix grounds to Baker at second, but Baker miffs the throw for a possible DP, 2 runs score, runners on 2nd and 3rd now
Werth strikes out (1 out)
Ankiel IBB
Wilson Ramos grounds to Aramis, but it gets out of his glove, everyone safe, bases loaded again, and another run scores
Ian Desmond lines out to Aramis (2 outs)
Ross Detwiler strikes out

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3-0 Nationals after one inning.

Umpire seems to be calling a pretty tight strike zone.

Bob Brenly noted that, although Ortiz was obviously having a tough inning, neither Soto nor Riggins went out to talk to him.

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Top 2nd:

Soto grounds out
Soriano lines out to short
Byrd grounds out to short

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Bottom 2nd:

Bernadina walks
Espinosa lines out to Pena, and he tags Bernadina for a DP
Zimmerman strikes out looking

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Top 3rd:

Pena grounds out to first
Barney HBP
Ortiz bunts and reaches first on an error, Barney to 2nd
Reed flies out deep to left
Baker grounds out to short

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Bottom 3rd:

Laynce Nix flies out to center
Werth strikes out
Ankiel strikes out

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Blake DeWitt in for Baker, possible injury to Baker on the miffed throw in the first inning.