Game 141 Thread / Cubs @ Reds (1 of 3)
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SP | *Ted Lilly | SP | Bronson Arroyo |
13-8, 4.23, 160 K, 57 BB, 174.2 IP | 13-10, 4.97, 137 K, 57 BB, 166.2 IP | ||
LF | Alfonso Soriano | CF | *Chris Dickerson |
SS | Ryan Theriot | SS | Jeff Keppinger |
1B | Derrek Lee | 2B | Brandon Phillips |
3B | Aramis Ramirez | 1B | *Joey Votto |
2B | Mark DeRosa | 3B | Edwin Encarnacion |
CF | *Jim Edmonds | RF | *Jay Bruce |
C | Geovany Soto | LF | Jolbert Cabrera |
RF | *Kosuke Fukudome | C | Ryan Hanigan |
P | *Ted Lilly | P | Bronson Arroyo |
That well-known rabble-rouser, Mark Sheldon of mlb.com, is billing this series as a showdown between NL Rookie of the Year candidates Geovany Soto and Joey Votto.
Actually, I don't know anything about Mark Sheldon's rabble-rousing, but the comparison is not entirely off-base:
AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | RBI | |
Geovany Soto | .294 | .371 | .514 | 885 | 21 | 80 |
Joey Votto | .294 | .360 | .472 | 832 | 17 | 67 |
As you can see, except for AVG, Soto's numbers are all better, plus one can't discount Soto's invaluable contribution behind the plate. Regarding Votto, who hit .382 last month and had a team-high 18 RBI, he has played well while most everything and everyone around him has gone to hell.
Also, don't forget Votto has had to overcome the handicap of playing for an imbecile.
Reds starter Bronson Arroyo has been outstanding lately, winning 9 of his last 12 starts and posting a 2.62 ERA in five outings last month. He has already beaten the Cubs and Ted Lilly twice this year, including a 2-1 decision a couple weeks ago.
The Cubs are embarking on their longest road trip this year as they endure their longest losing skid of the season. As for Lilly, he was a loser last time out against the Phillies (6.2 IP, 3 ER), but he has given the Cubs six or more innings in each of his last nine starts and in 16 of his last 17 assignments.
Let's win one for ol' Doc Gryzlo.
Non-Cub Sports Headline of the Week, from The Onion:
Pavano to Yanks: 'I'm Back And Ready To—Ow, My Hip!'
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