re: Pedro Alvarez is benched for tonight's game, Clint Hurdle gives stupid reason

He's worst defensive first baseman in baseball in the last few years with a -2.3 dWAR. He routinely drops regular throws to first, much less anything low or heaven forbid a bouncer and with Aramis Ramirez at 3rd, that is one awful infield defensively, add in Kang out as well.

You can't give away outs tonight. Arrieta doesn't give up HR's, which means Alvarez would be a solid 0/4 with 4K's tonight. His value is more in bench power late when Arrieta is out of the game as the Cubs bullpen is pretty terrible and gives up the long ball, good move IMO.