Cubs win 2-0. Really puts the pressure back on Cincinnati to win the next two, in order to leave town with a good taste in their mouth about this homestand.

Cubs win 2-0. Really puts the pressure back on Cincinnati to win the next two, in order to leave town with a good taste in their mouth about this homestand.

 

Agree.

Need to win 2 of 3 this series. Doesn't matter the order. Need to win the next 2 now.

I was really worried that they wouldn't get the win last night. Hopefully they can get the next two.

Dusty loves him some Neftali Soto....:ohbrother:

^ Friend of mine tweeted that Soto must have naked pictures of Dusty or something.

 

I like Dusty & am glad he's the Reds' manager, but I'm struggling to grasp what he's trying to accomplish with Soto. Letting him hit in a crucial late-game situation vs. Kershaw the other night was one of Dusty's most boneheaded moves that I can ever recall.

^ Friend of mine tweeted that Soto must have naked pictures of Dusty or something.

 

I like Dusty & am glad he's the Reds' manager, but I'm struggling to grasp what he's trying to accomplish with Soto. Letting him hit in a crucial late-game situation vs. Kershaw the other night was one of Dusty's most boneheaded moves that I can ever recall.

 

Nothing will ever beat the hit and run in the playoffs last year with a guy on 2nd.

^ Friend of mine tweeted that Soto must have naked pictures of Dusty or something.

 

I like Dusty & am glad he's the Reds' manager, but I'm struggling to grasp what he's trying to accomplish with Soto. Letting him hit in a crucial late-game situation vs. Kershaw the other night was one of Dusty's most boneheaded moves that I can ever recall.

 

Happened to hear the pre-game show on the radio yesterday. Kelch basically brought up that point (using Soto). Dusty defended it by saying people didn't know the status of his bench. He went through probably 6 or 7 different players as to why he didn't use them. If this had been July, then I might be more inclined to buy it. But, with the expanded rosters...I think he was blowing smoke trying to confuse the whole issue.

Happened to hear the pre-game show on the radio yesterday. Kelch basically brought up that point (using Soto). Dusty defended it by saying people didn't know the status of his bench. He went through probably 6 or 7 different players as to why he didn't use them. If this had been July, then I might be more inclined to buy it. But, with the expanded rosters...I think he was blowing smoke trying to confuse the whole issue.

 

If he has guys beat up, okay. However, with Hamilton on the bench you can hit anyone with a nagging injury and run on them. Of course, some injuries would prevent guys from even swinging but if they can swing there have to be better options than Soto.

 

You would think that one line of thinking is that if you go extra's you know you won't need Soto defensively so he can get an AB then be done for the day and it's no big deal. I'm not sure how much that matters when you're losing, though.

If he has guys beat up, okay. However, with Hamilton on the bench you can hit anyone with a nagging injury and run on them. Of course, some injuries would prevent guys from even swinging but if they can swing there have to be better options than Soto.

 

You would think that one line of thinking is that if you go extra's you know you won't need Soto defensively so he can get an AB then be done for the day and it's no big deal. I'm not sure how much that matters when you're losing, though.

 

Oh, it was a convoluted mess that he was describing. Didn't want to use left-handers or switch hitters that hit better as lefties. Didn't want to use Robinson because he may have to go in defensively if he used Paul to pinch-hit for Heisey later on. Didn't want to use Izturis because of Brandon's leg...the list went on and on. (I'd almost would've rather settled for Leake going up there. At least he's faced more major league pitches this year than Soto has!)

Oh, it was a convoluted mess that he was describing. Didn't want to use left-handers or switch hitters that hit better as lefties. Didn't want to use Robinson because he may have to go in defensively if he used Paul to pinch-hit for Heisey later on. Didn't want to use Izturis because of Brandon's leg...the list went on and on. (I'd almost would've rather settled for Leake going up there. At least he's faced more major league pitches this year than Soto has!)

 

It's what I've been saying all along. There are a TON of variables when making a decision. We are privy to very few of those.

 

However, you would still think there's a better option than Soto.

It's what I've been saying all along. There are a TON of variables when making a decision. We are privy to very few of those.

 

However, you would still think there's a better option than Soto.

 

Agree with everything you said. But, especially the bolded. If it were already extra innings, or the smaller rosters...maybe.

After a tough 7 games against the Cardinals and Dodgers where a few of them went extra innings, I saw this as a let down game because it was the Cubs. I believe I would of sat a few of the regulars and put Hamilton as lead off for a spark. JMO

Tonight's game features lefty Tony Cingrani (7-3, 2.80 ERA) on the mound for the Reds. The Cubs counter with righty Edwin Jackson (7-15, 4.91 ERA).

I would expect Hamilton to get a start either tonight's game or tomorrow's game to give Choo a rest and a day game after a night game.