Does John Russell have a clue??

[voncap]

I understand that he is coaching in the major leagues and I'm posting on bleachercoaches, but what was up with Russell's decision making last night.

He finally decides to give McCutchen and Doumit a night off, not a bad decision especially for Doumit. What is puzzling is his choice of nights. He decides to do it on a night when the Buccos are facing a junkballer lefty. He inserts two lefthanded hitters in the lineup who couldn't hit left-handed pitching in a slow pitch softball league. Why not give Cutch and Doumit the night off tonight when they are facing a righty.

Then after Chavez has looked terrific in retiring four of the five batters he faced (three by K) Russell decides it is time to showcase some of our new talent by bringing in Joel ' gas on the fire' Hanrahan. Not only can't Hanrahan throw strikes to the plate, he proved last night he is equally adept at not being able to throw the ball to 2nd base.

Result: another Pirate loss.

It would take a huge collaspe for this team to loss 100 games, but don't count it out. The bullpen is a complete mess, the starting pitchers appear to be wearing down, and the offense is having a tough time scoring runs against even average pitchers. As a Pirate fan, the next two months are going to be gruelling. Thank goodness for the start of football and hockey.

[deliverance]

voncap, look for the Pirates to make a run at the Mets' record in losses in one season next year. They are practically putting an expansion team out on the field. I think they lose at least 100 games in the next two seasons.