Game 10: Reds (6-3) @ Cardinals (5-4) Game Thread

[reds44]

Freel
Lopez
Dunn
EE
Hatteberg
Kearns
Valentin
Womack
Harang

Eckstein
Encarnacion
Pujols
Edmonds
Rolen
Taguchi
Molina
Miles
Carpenter

vs.
Aaron Harang (1-1, 8.49 ERA) vs. Chris Carpenter (1-0, 3.27 ERA)

[kyred14]

Phillips > Womack

Just Sayin'

[reds44]

Originally Posted by kyred14

Phillips > Womack

Just Sayin'

Most of us (like myself) agree.

When Freel doesn't start at 2B, stick him in the 8 hole and let him learn. Despite his error yesterday he is still awesome with the glove.

[KronoRed]

Womack at least in the right place.

[KronoRed]

Well Maybe..Harang might have a nice at bat

[OnBaseMachine]

Key to this game:

Work Carpenter. Make him throw a ton of pitches and get into the Cardinal bullpen. It's simple...Carpenter is a Cy Young winner, the Cards bullpen is weak. Get Carp out of the game after 6 and you have a chance to win this one.

[M2]

EdE at cleanup against the defending Cy Young winner who just so happens to chew up RHBs?

Don't think I'd do that. If Narron was determined to put a RH bat there I'd suggest Kearns.

Today would also be a good day for Harang to regain his 2005 form.

[wolfboy]

Originally Posted by M2

EdE at cleanup against the defending Cy Young winner who just so happens to chew up RHBs?

Don't think I'd do that. If Narron was determined to put a RH bat there I'd suggest Kearns.

Today would also be a good day for Harang to regain his 2005 form.

He's batting 4th with Hatteberg behind him. I hope he tears the cover off of the ball tonight, but that's a tough spot to be in.

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by M2

EdE at cleanup against the defending Cy Young winner who just so happens to chew up RHBs?

Don't think I'd do that. If Narron was determined to put a RH bat there I'd suggest Kearns.

Today would also be a good day for Harang to regain his 2005 form.

Actually I much prefer EdE in there. He'll be motivated to prove something, and I don't imagine Carpenter has a great book on him.

[M2]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

Actually I much prefer EdE in there. He'll be motivated to prove something, and I don't imagine Carpenter has a great book on him.

Frankly, I assume a 23-year-old kid like Encarnacion is motivated every night.

And Carpenter doesn't need much of a book for any RHB. He's got a .543 OPS against them over the past three years (.765 for LHBs).

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by M2

Frankly, I assume a 23-year-old kid like Encarnacion is motivated every night.

And Carpenter doesn't need much of a book for any RHB. He's got a .543 OPS against them over the past three years (.765 for LHBs).

What's wrong with a challenge for the kid?

Of course on a macro level Carpenter's got righties figured out--yes. But when a pitcher doesn't know a hitter's tendencies, I still believe, flaky as it may seem, that on a micro level sometimes hitters can have an edge. Sure it's a long shot, the stats say don't do it, but occasionally bucking trends lends a dynamism to a lineup that might otherwise not be there. I wouldn't recommend this lineup frequently with a guy like Carpenter on the mound, but on occasion quirks have been known to pay off.

[reds44]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

What's wrong with a challenge for the kid?

Yes, it goes back yo what you were saying the other day. It goes beyond one game. Even if EE goes 0-4 tonight, it will be good for him (which inturn will be better for the Reds) in the long run.

[Chip R]

Originally Posted by M2

EdE at cleanup against the defending Cy Young winner who just so happens to chew up RHBs?

Don't think I'd do that. If Narron was determined to put a RH bat there I'd suggest Kearns.

Setting him up to fail, perhaps?

[reds44]

Originally Posted by Chip R

Setting him up to fail, perhaps?

No.

If he has a good night it is GREAT, and if he has a bad night oh well he was facing the best pitcher in the NL.

Almost seems win/win.

Plus EE has been hot at the dish as of late.

[traderumor]

Originally Posted by Chip R

Setting him up to fail, perhaps?

What?