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Cubs return to 20 under, 54-74
Cardinals stop freaking out, 67-60
POTG: RP Michael Wuertz (2 IP, 2 H, BB, K, 0 R, 2 IHR, 0 IHR allowed to score)
Runner up: 2B Freddie Bynum (2 2B), LF Angel Pagan (2B, 2 H), SP Juan Mateo (5 IP, 10 H, 2 R, ER, BB, 2 K)
I refuse to accept Dusty’s post game explanation that using Jacque Jones against a left handed pitcher was the best solution he had. So, like anyone else could, I looked it up.
AVG vs LHP
Nevin .206 (68 AB)
Theriot .318 (22 AB)
Blanco .327 (49 AB)
We don’t really have stats on what Coats does versus splits, though Dusty certainly could get that info if he wanted it.
He had options. He didn’t use them, either because he didn’t consider them or he didn’t want hurt Jacque’s feelings by pinch hitting him for him with a backup catcher or a rookie second baseman.
I’m not as high as the papers seem to be on Mateo, even after this start. He can’t go long, and he’s giving up way too many baserunners to be effective; his stats only look good because Wuertz pulled him out of a huge jam (a situation where 1.5 runs are scored by average and 0 did), and Michael really deserves the credit for keeping us in the game.