re: CHC Thread - Back After A Day Off - Ray (AZ) @ Arrieta (CHC)

I know this is so far away and not guaranteed, but I started looking at the Wild Card game. We can assume that the game will be in Pittsburgh, and that the Cubs will have to face RHP Gerrit Cole.

Obviously, Arrieta is the guy we want on the mound for the Cubs, but the fact that Pittsburgh is loaded with righties in McCutchen, Marte, Kang, Harrison, Cervelli, Mercer, and Ramirez. Walker is a switch hitter and Alvarez and Polanco are the only two lefties. I threw a couple extra infielders because I do not know what four will be across the diamond for the Pirates in that game. The righty-heavy lineup (especially Cutch and Marte) make an RHP ideal.

Since Cole is a righty and Pittsburgh surpresses right-handed power, I am assuming Joe will load the lineup with lefties. Here are my thoughts:

CF S Fowler
LF L Schwarber
3B R Bryant
1B L Rizzo
RF R Soler
2B L Coghlan
C L Montero
P R Arrieta
SS R Russell

We would have five guys hitting lefty with this lineup, and we probably have our best hitters in this way as well.

If for some odd reason that Liriano was pitching in this game, then I would bench Coghlan for Castro because Coghlan is trash after southpaws. A lefty would be scary because we may have to rethink a few things. Should David Ross play? Do we move Schwarber to catcher and put Denorfia, Jackson, or Szczur in left? What about Bryant to left, Schwarber to catcher, and Baez at the hot corner?

Against a lefty, I may consider this lineup:

CF S Fowler
C L Schwarber
LF R Bryant
1B L Rizzo
RF R Soler
3B R Baez
2B R Castro
P R Arrieta
SS R Russell

This is very righty heavy and we know that Rizzo mashes lefties better than any lefty since Barry Bonds. Of course, when Pittsburgh brings in a righty reliever, then we could pull Montero, Coghlan, and more in for reinforcements.

Any thoughts? I just know that I trust this organization so much, and Arrieta is incredible. I really feel my first lineup on here is what we go with assuming Soler is ready to play.