This one on Friday.

Latos v Liriano, could be the 1 game playoff matchup.

I'm going to predict something pretty big will happen between now and then.

Regardless....I would put Hamilton in CF and just see if anyone figures him out or to see if he is the uber rookie lightning bolt that no one quite knows what to do with yet.....the result won't affect anything negative as Luddy is bad in LF and really isn't hitting anything.

He is scaring the shit out of the opponent when he gets on first.....throw overs, pitch outs, lefties, slide steps.....nothing's mattered. Every pitcher and catcher has been 100% ready every time he has stolen and it hasn't mattered....actually it's heightened passed balls and poor pitches. If you don't think he's not greatly affecting the pitcher....then you've never pitched.

There is no risk....yet the reward might even outweigh Dusty's playoff ineptness. It was ridiculous not to have him on the playoff roster last year and it would be inexcusably tunnel visioned not to measure this weapon.

Ironman92;1504031 wrote:I'm going to predict something pretty big will happen between now and then.

Regardless....I would put Hamilton in CF and just see if anyone figures him out or to see if he is the uber rookie lightning bolt that no one quite knows what to do with yet.....the result won't affect anything negative as Luddy is bad in LF and really isn't hitting anything.

He is scaring the shit out of the opponent when he gets on first.....throw overs, pitch outs, lefties, slide steps.....nothing's mattered. Every pitcher and catcher has been 100% ready every time he has stolen and it hasn't mattered....actually it's heightened passed balls and poor pitches. If you don't think he's not greatly affecting the pitcher....then you've never pitched.

There is no risk....yet the reward might even outweigh Dusty's playoff ineptness. It was ridiculous not to have him on the playoff roster last year and it would be inexcusably tunnel visioned not to measure this weapon.

Could not agree more.

This series is huge, not just because it's CIN/PIT, but because it will determine how these teams approach next weekend's series.

Both teams have an off day next Thursday. Both teams have flexibility in the rotation, albeit the Reds are in better shape than Pittsburgh.

However, it's going to be a cat and mouse game with these pitching match-ups as potentially 7 games in the 11 days, with the same game/rest schedule and rotation alignment.

Cards lost again today.

Now if only the Brewers can whip on them like they have Cincy...

Shelby Miller vs Johnny Helweg (sigh)
Lance Lynn vs Yovanni Gallardo (whew)
Joe Kelly vs Wily Peralta (sigh)

Cards win 2 of 3. Good news for them is, they are going to gain ground on someone everyday. I'm sure they would love to see Cincy win 2 of 3 with them winning 2 of 3.

Fuck all these fair weather pirate fans.

Pirates just need to play more like they did against the Cubs than they did against the Padres. A great start by Liriano tonight would be nice. And it'd be nicer if, tomorrow, Hurdle doesn't keep up with the "stretch one more inning out of Burnett" thing that never seems to work out quite as planned.

I would absolutely LOVE for BH to get another start today. He couldn't be any worse than Ludwick. .233 on the year, .200 in September. Hes just bad.

Rotinaj;1504250 wrote:I would absolutely LOVE for BH to get another start today. He couldn't be any worse than Ludwick. .233 on the year, .200 in September. Hes just bad.

I think Ludwick of last year was one of those great fluke grabs by the team with the way he produced. In 2011, he utterly sucked for both San Diego and Pittsburgh, but then was a strong offensive producer last year who played a big role in the team's success.

Injuries were a big part of the equation this year, but since he's been back, it's been more of 2011 Ludwick than 2012 Ludwick.

The only reason I'm kinda against starting BH is because If we're in a tight game I wanna choose when I used his speed in the bases as unposed to him possibly getting out and not on base at all. He's gonna be a huge weapon almost a guaranteed run once he's on base.

sportchampps;1504342 wrote:The only reason I'm kinda against starting BH is because If we're in a tight game I wanna choose when I used his speed in the bases as unposed to him possibly getting out and not on base at all. He's gonna be a huge weapon almost a guaranteed run once he's on base.

Might as well sit Votto until someone gets on 2nd late in the game and he can pinch hit for someone.

Rotinaj;1504358 wrote:Might as well sit Votto until someone gets on 2nd late in the game and he can pinch hit for someone.

Lol'd.

Lineup:

Choo CF
Phillips 2B
Votto 1B
Ludwick LF
Bruce RF
Fraizer 3B
Cozart SS
Mesoraco C
Latos P

No! The lineup is my thing lol

Hopefully all the rain will be between tonight's and Saturday night's games. We have tickets for tonight's.

Bruce outta the cleanup spot. Makes sense.

Ludwick has been on fire this month. Probably the best cleanup hitter in the league.

Solid start by Latos.

Mid 90s right down the middle deserves to be hit a long way.

Latos in the first inning is AWFUL. after that; great

Lucky to only give up 2

Walks...

Against a team who strikes out a ton, latos hasnt gotten the ball out of the middle of the plate. Just too many mistakes mixed with walks and the swinging bunts

FL might not have 80 pitches in this game with all the first pitch swings and outs.