Game 2 of 3
Felix Hernandez (7-4, 5.29 overall; 2-1, 5.89 vs CWS)
Bill Black (5-8, 3.70 overall, 0-1, 3.98 vs KCR)
Billy Rounds (12) and Kody Clemens (19) homered in last night’s 5-2 win over the ChiSox. So in typical Jose Mota fashion, Clemens is given today off. Regular 2B Julio Soto will fill the DH role today, while backup infielder Juan Ruiz fills in at 2B (which makes sense, since Ruiz is a better fielder). What doesn’t make sense is starting Joey Votto at 1B, when Soto would be a better defensive 1B than Votto. My mother would be a better defensive 1B than Votto too, though she can’t really hit. Davies will be behind the plate today.
1 SS – Gus Lopez – MLB-leading .344 AVG, 34 SB
2 CA – David Davies – 11 HR
3 CF – Billy Rounds – 12 HR, 11 SB
4 RF – Adam Hasley – .912 OPS in 4 MLB games
5 1B – Joey Votto – 1 hit in last 15 AB
6 3B – Nander De Sedas – .824 OPS in 22 MLB games
7 LF – Bernie Blanchard – .357 OBP, 25 SB
8 2B – Juan Ruiz – .692 OPS in 43 games
9 DH – Julio Soto – 15 HR, 21 SB