Red Sox (Crochet) vs Cubs (Horton): 7/20/25, 1:20pm

[UMFan83]

1 hour ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

I hope the Brewers 19-10 record vs lefty starters isn’t a problem for Boyd.

Since their 33-12 stretch began the Brewers have the best wRC+ against lefties in baseball. 

But the Yankees have the best wRC+ vs lefties for the entire season and Boyd and Shota both shut them down so

Edited July 20, 2025 by UMFan83

[UMFan83]

No Busch today. Annoying

[cubfansince77]

2 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

No Busch today. Annoying

Incredibly annoying...he's more than earned a shot against lefties IMO. Turner? No comment cuz I don't wanna be negative.

[BKHoo]

Do SOMETHING Turner. Please. 

[BKHoo]

The American League west has the worst record in baseball in July. At least the Rockies have won two in a row. 😆 

Edited July 20, 2025 by BKHoo

[Jason Ross]

Crochet is a great pitcher who is even more brutal against LHH. He is top-10 or 15 as a LHP vs LHH of almost any data point you can image for any LHP with 10+IP against LHH. 

Much like @squally1313 put it yesterday when explaining (far more succincntly than myself could or did) sitting Matt Shaw for Vidal Brujan, if you aren't going to sit Michael Busch today, then when are you going to do so? 

Turner will likely have a rough go, as Crochet is just good against anyone, but Busch is probably a slightly worse bet than even Turner given the splits Crochet has. 

[Rcal10]

4 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Crochet is a great pitcher who is even more brutal against LHH. He is top-10 or 15 as a LHP vs LHH of almost any data point you can image for any LHP with 10+IP against LHH. 

Much like @squally1313 put it yesterday when explaining (far more succincntly than myself could or did) sitting Matt Shaw for Vidal Brujan, if you aren't going to sit Michael Busch today, then when are you going to do so? 

Turner will likely have a rough go, as Crochet is just good against anyone, but Busch is probably a slightly worse bet than even Turner given the splits Crochet has. 

Hopefully there is a delay after 3 or 4 innings and Crochett doesn’t come back out. 

[Jason Ross]

3 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Hopefully there is a delay after 3 or 4 innings and Crochett doesn’t come back out. 

Selfishly I'd like to see Horton get a chance to go at Boston, so I've got my hopes that the rain stays away and we get a killer pitching matchup today. Though realistically, it's probably more likely to help us today for rain to hit. 

Anecdotally, I am posting this from the Blue Line currently and while its overcast, it's dry downtown. 

[Rcal10]

26 minutes ago, cubfansince77 said:

I thought it was Boyd's turn...heck I don't know, the all star break has me all turned around as to the current rotation 

I get it. Cubs rearranged the rotation to give Boyd extra rest at the all star break. And now, if he goes Tuesday he lines up for the first game in the Brewers series. So makes sense to let him go Tuesday with Brown tomorrow. 

[Geographyhater8888]

I’m sick of Busch being treated like Willy Parker on goal line plays where Jerome Bettis takes those snaps and he’s on the bench. Take the training wheels off of him already. If Crochet is that brutal vs lefties then why is PCA batting 5th?

Edited July 20, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[Jason Ross]

2 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

I’m sick of Busch being treated like Willy Parker on goal line plays where Jerome Bettis takes those snaps and he’s on the bench. Take the training wheels off of him already. 

They have played him more frequently against LHP. But sitting him against one of the 10 or so best LHP in the game is not keeping training wheels on, either. This is an incredibly hard matchup for any LHH in baseball. His .216 wOBA against LHH is likely even hiding how good he's been; the only lefties who hit against him to begin with are the best LHH in the game and he crushes them. This is a bad matchup for Busch. Or any lefty.

[Geographyhater8888]

12 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

They have played him more frequently against LHP. But sitting him against one of the 10 or so best LHP in the game is not keeping training wheels on, either. 

The training wheels are still on. He’s earned the right to face mediocre left handed pitchers, let’s hope he gets these Crochet privileges if or when they’re playing in October because that’s a big bat you’ll be without for at least a couple at bats. Why is PCA batting 5th and not 7th or 8th?
 

 

Edited July 20, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[Eeyore]

You can never tell about the rain. Yesterday, it was pouring in Munster but I went to a party in Oak Forest during the game and the weather was fantastic.

[JD94]

8 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

The training wheels are still on. He’s earned the right to face mediocre left handed pitchers, let’s hope he gets these Crochet privileges if or when they’re playing in October because that’s a big bat you’ll be without for at least a couple at bats. Why is PCA batting 5th and not 7th or 8th?
 

 

I think you are making this a bigger deal than it really is. It’s not much difference hitting 5th than it is 6th or 7th. Even if Craig moved him further down, we are basically asking should he hit below Dansby and Happ. I just don’t think that will make a major difference. Obviously Craig doesn’t either. 

[Wilson A2000]

38 minutes ago, cubfansince77 said:

Incredibly annoying...he's more than earned a shot against lefties IMO. Turner? No comment cuz I don't wanna be negative.

Counsell just called him a complete hitter lol

[Geographyhater8888]

10 minutes ago, JD94 said:

I think you are making this a bigger deal than it really is. It’s not much difference hitting 5th than it is 6th or 7th. Even if Craig moved him further down, we are basically asking should he hit below Dansby and Happ. I just don’t think that will make a major difference. Obviously Craig doesn’t either. 

Thats my point. If CC feels OK leaving PCA near the top of the order despite bad platoon splits then it seems odd to keep hiding Busch to this degree since he wants the best possible matchup. Especially when Busch bats 7th in the games he’s in the starting lineup vs a lefty.

Edited July 20, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[Neuby]

Giving guys a day off against Crochet is totally acceptable when you have an actual bench.

[Jason Ross]

35 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

The training wheels are still on. He’s earned the right to face mediocre left handed pitchers, let’s hope he gets these Crochet privileges if or when they’re playing in October because that’s a big bat you’ll be without for at least a couple at bats. Why is PCA batting 5th and not 7th or 8th?
 

 

The Cubs and Counsell like to rotate R/L to force managers into tougher late inning choices. 

Lastly, if Busch ever earns the right to face a Crochet, we should be so lucky. Reality is most LHH league wide shouldnt face him. It's likely he never comes that close.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I have no problem with sitting Busch against Crochet.

I do find it interesting that they sit Busch against Crochet but not PCA.

Edited July 20, 2025 by NorthsideAvenger

[JD94]

5 minutes ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

I have no problem with sitting Busch against Crochet.

I do find it interesting that they sit Busch against Crochet but not PCA.

PCA is never going to sit (outside of a day off) due to his defense at a premium position. 

[Rcal10]

278/333/410

196/274/339

Those are Turner’s numbers versus Busch when facing a left handed pitcher. So why is CC wrong to go with Turner here? 

[Rcal10]

9 minutes ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

I have no problem with sitting Busch against Crochet.

I do find it interesting that they sit Busch against Crochet but not PCA.

Defense never rests. 

[PeanutPunch33]

Very satisfied with this team winning 2/3, taking all 3 would just be gravy.  Huge test today against arguably a top 2 lefty in the sport.  Even if the Cubs don't win, I'm just hoping Horton looks dominant.  I'll take 6 IP and 2 ER! 

[Ding Dong Johnson]

CF defense is immensely more important than 1B. It makes a ton of sense for PCA to still play vs. a really good lefty. 

[Geographyhater8888]

36 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

The Cubs and Counsell like to rotate R/L to force managers into tougher late inning choices. 

Lastly, if Busch ever earns the right to face a Crochet, we should be so lucky. Reality is most LHH league wide shouldnt face him. It's likely he never comes that close.

I don’t study league wide player platoon splits, but even with limited at bats from Busch are there any other teams with 300 point OPS platoon gaps from multiple hitters with over 350 at bats?

Edited July 20, 2025 by Geographyhater8888