Hultzen Is Evil
As we've already pointed out, the key to tommorrow's game will be getting to LHP Danny Hultzen. He's just a freshman, but he's been pretty successful this year, most notably shutting down both UC Irvine and Ole Miss. But, not to brag, but shutting down LSU is a whole other kettle of fish. UCI scored 432 runs. OM scored 470. LSU scored 524.
Of course, Hultzen is a lefty. And we all know that means time to panic in TigerTown. I have one suggestion and one cause to not be concerned. First, the concern. Hultzen is a freshman. Nothing against him personally, but Rosenblatt tends to eat freshman studs alive. If you're relying on a frehsman in a big game, in any sport, that is usually a big worry. Sometimes you get Carmelo Anthony in the Final Four, but that's not the norm. But that's wishful thinking.
So here is the suggestion: bench Jared Mitchell.
Mitchell's a terrific player. It's no accident he was selected in the first round. He's a threat on the bases and he plays mean defense. But the guy absolutely cannot hit lefties right now. Put Mitchell on the bench and start Helenihi at third and Hanover at DH. LSU has a lefty heavy lineup, so let's flip the script.
Let's stop pretending lefties don't kill us. Go righty-crazy with Helenihi, Hanover, Ochinko, Gibbs, Mahtook, and Nola. And then sub Mitchell in as soon as you can.
Right handed hitters. Say it. We need guys who hit from the right side of the plate. Let's get to Hultzen early and then get to our lefty studs on the bench. I think we're gonna win. I haven't been this confident since 1997. That said, this is no cakewalk. Let's give ourselves the best chance to win.
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Helenihi at 3rd and Hanover at DH?
What about Dean? Bench him too? Who plays right field?
My lineup is such:
Lemahieu 2b
Schimpf lf
Mahtook cf
Ochinko/Gibbs 1b/c
Dean dh
Gibbs/Ochinko c/1b
Helenihi rf
Hanover 3b
Nola ss
Split up Schimpf and Dean, separating them by 2 batters. Bring in Helenihi for Mitchell. You may even consider moving Helenihi up a bit more in the order. As soon as a relief pitcher comes in, sub in Mitchell for Helenihi or Hanover, depending on the circumstances.
Richard Pittman
by Richard Pittman on Jun 11, 2009 9:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
My lineup
Dean and Schimpf are un-benchable. Besides, Dean has shown that when he gets to lefties, he goes yard. My lineup is similar:
LeMaheiu 2B
Schimpf LF
Gibbs C
Dean DH
Mahtook CF
Ochinko 1B
Helenihi 3B
Hanover RF
Nola SS
Hanover gets benched as soon as they bring in a lefty and we go with Mitchell in the late innings.
by Poseur on Jun 11, 2009 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I get it already
It’s been at least a month, maybe all season, that you guys have been hitting the dead horse that is the left handed pitching situation. OK, we get it. Our record vs. RHP is great; our record vs. LHP is barely a winning record.
And we’ve won 3 of 4 vs. left-handed starters in the post-season, including the last 3.
So, there!
by uberschuck on Jun 12, 2009 4:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I realize it's a broken record..
but it really is the most important part of any given game we play. The question of “will we face a lefty or a righty” is of monumental importance. First, it goes a long way in deciding who plays for us, and then it goes a long way in determining how we can win (will we get some slugging? or will we need to squeeze out runs?).
Richard Pittman
by Richard Pittman on Jun 12, 2009 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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