Problem is, he won't use Saito 2 days in a row probably and Hawkins already pitched 2 days in a row. It was probably going to be Estrada or Braddock here with Loe in the 8th. With them babying Saito back, our bp is not very deep
We are still running Counsell out there as our ph in a big spot? Really RR, you've made so many other positive adjustments but you still can't see Counsell is done?
Zack did finish strong and kept us in it tonight so that's good. But man, his ERA really is going to stay at 5 plus if he keeps having outings like this. Maybe he could be a 16+ game winner with a 5+ ERA!
Bruce is actually hitting lefties slightly better than righties. Main difference is SLG. Votto is absolutely DESTROYING lefties.So Hawkins probably was the right call then.
Well, that wasn't particularly pretty or easy but it was a lot better than many of our 8th innings lately. I guess Hawkins on back to back days might not work if that's why his velocity was down. I hope it's just because he hasn't been asked to do it yet this year and can build the arm back up.
I think the theory might be that Votto is equally as good against RH and LH, so start with Hawkins for Votto and then Phillips, and have Braddock ready to face Bruce. That's what I was thinking anyway... who knows.