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Let me give you two batting lines.
Player A: 9 for his last 27, 4 doubles, 4 HR, 10 RBI
Player B: 11 for his last 39, 2 doubles, 2 HR, 9 RBI
Which player would you sit?
The correct answer is neither of them. As you’ve probably guessed by now, player A is Rhys Hoskins, player B is Andrew McCutchen and neither are in the lineup tonight because they both happen to be right-handed hitters facing a right-handed pitcher on the Cubs that has been death on righties this year.
Joe Girardi cited Adbert Alzolay’s extreme splits as reason for sitting McCutchen and Hoskins tonight. The expectation is one or both will enter the game at some point. Should also allow for DH days this weekend to Realmuto and Harper. pic.twitter.com/ftjT19fZiV
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) July 8, 2021
Even with these numbers, there’s really no reason to take either batter out. Here are the lineups, starting with the one Joe Girardi has chosen.
Going for the series W. #RingTheBell
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 8, 2021
: @NBCSPhilly
: @SportsRadioWIP
: https://t.co/HhDxScbmEV // https://t.co/vgbMhIMsON pic.twitter.com/m8QARm6FNH
As you can see, Girardi has chosen to put Brad Miller at first instead of Hoskins. The better move is probably putting Miller at third base in place of Alec Bohm, allowing Hoskins to stay in the lineup while he’s hot. Being as how this makes sense, it’s goes against most of Girardi’s moves this year.
For the Cubs:
Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup.#CubTogether pic.twitter.com/yp5NXxxjDO
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 8, 2021
No Kris Bryant tonight as he’s still recovering from a tender hamstring injury.
The Phillies better score some runs tonight without Hoskins and McCutchen in the starting lineup. Otherwise there will be some explaining to do.
Let’s talk about it.