IGT: Cubs vs. Dodgers Game 2(NLCS)

[BaBaBlacksheep]

Soler is strictly a fastball hitter and if you noticed he has only received breaking balls in the playoffs. He is a strike out, rally killing machine in this scenario

So he should fit right in?

 

[Diehardfan]

Soler is strictly a fastball hitter and if you noticed he has only received breaking balls in the playoffs. He is a strike out, rally killing machine in this scenario

You said the same damn thing last year and he was virtually the only guy that did anything against the Met's pitching and that's after hitting .571 vs the Cards. Based on that alone, he deserves a look.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I'd sit both Heyward and Russell against Hill. I'd get Soler in LF and Almora in RF moving Zobrist to 2B and Baez to SS. You have to score runs to win. This team can't hit a lick right now. It took a guy coming off the bench in game 1 to win it. Either that, or I'm at least dropping Russell behind both Baez and Contreras. I might put Heyward before Russell so we get a left-handed bat somewhere between those three.

 

[Diehardfan]

I'd sit both Heyward and Russell against Hill. I'd get Soler in LF and Almora in RF moving Zobrist to 2B and Baez to SS. You have to score runs to win. This team can't hit a lick right now. It took a guy coming off the bench in game 1 to win it. Either that, or I'm at least dropping Russell behind both Baez and Contreras. I might put Heyward before Russell so we get a left-handed bat somewhere between those three.

Hey!! Quit stealing my stuff!!! :lol:

I'm thinking Russell might sit he next one out. His problems with left handed pitching is hardly a secret. I'm guessing he opts for a more offensive lineup with Zobie moving to second, Baez to short, Almora to right and Soler in left with liberal defensive substitutions if they get a lead late.

For the first time all season...I really wish we had the big bopper Kyle back and healthy.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Hey!! Quit stealing my stuff!!! :lol:

:lol:

 

[Omeletpants]

You said the same damn thing last year and he was virtually the only guy that did anything against the Met's pitching and that's after hitting .571 vs the Cards. Based on that alone, he deserves a look.

I didn't post on this forum last year.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I didn't post on this forum last year.

It's too bad you decided to post this year.

 

[Omeletpants]

It's too bad you decided to post this year.

My personal troll appears again

 

[SilenceS]

Rizzo is about to break out of the slump. His swings have been to good lately. Last night vs. Kershaw he put some nice swings on him and missed a homer foul. The first at bat was a good swing he got under. Kershaw didnt fool him last night. Those are signs when Rizzo is about to get hot. Russell should not be 5th. This isnt just a recent slump. This is going on 2 months he has been lost.

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

I agree about dropping Russell and benching Heyward. I just think we need to try something new to generate some runs. Heyward is the best defensive RF in the game -- but Almora is not much of a drop off. It's worth a look - as Heyward is a guaranteed ground ball or pop-up out right now. Here is how I would go:

CF Fowler
3B Bryant
1B Rizzo
LF Zobrist
2B Baez
SS Russell
C Montero
RF Almora
P Arrieta

I'd prefer to have Contreras in the lineup (although his first at bat against Kershaw was the worst I ever seen in my 72 years on this planet) -- but if Jake is comfortable with Montero, we roll with Montero.

With our top hitters struggling, we need to keep a strong defensive group out there. We could be looking at low scoring games so I'm afraid to put in Soler. But Almora is not much of a down grade from Heyward defensively and he at least has a chance to get it going.

Regardless, Russell MUST be dropped in the lineup. Baez is seeing the ball much better and we need him behind Zobrist.

 

[greg23]

Pretry sure I read that montero is catching arrieta.

Assuming that and also assuming that rizzo-bryant-baez-zobrist-Fowler are starting this leaves the last two starting options from the group of

Russell-heyward-Contreras-soler-almora

Personally I'd keep Russell in the lineup but he needs to drop in the order.

Which leaves 1 of spot up for grabs vs hill. Hill seems to throw more off speed stuff that fastballs

Soler hits lhp fairly well if rather him face a fastball pitcher than an off speed pitcher.

Heyward means three lefties in the lineup

Contreras is interesting offensively but either means bryant in rf with Baez at 3b or zobrist in rf.

Almora is almost as effective defensively as heyward but would maddon really start him tied 1-1 on the road in game 3?

I think you have to keep the defense somewhat intact as the series is tied and love baez up the middle. I'd start Almira knowing that if I needed offense in the 5th I can hit for him with soler/Contreras and back to defensensure with heyward later in the game.

Fowler
Bryant
Rizzo
Zobrist
Baez
Russell
Montero
Almora
Arrieta