Couple thoughts

MLB [970] WAS NATIONALS -130 BIG

• Dominant Road Outings: In his visits to Kansas City, Littell has been incredibly efficient. He has never allowed an earned run on the road, maintaining a stellar 11.6 K/9 rate across those 7 innings of work. [1]
• Trouble at Home: While he picked up both of his career wins against the Royals in home stadiums, he has given up 4 earned runs in under 6 innings, resulting in a much higher 6.35 ERA. [1, 2, 3]

I don’t want to mess with the 1st 5 here. If it’s tight early or Littell gives one back, I don’t want to be sitting there aggravated after five innings.

I’d rather take the full game and give Washington’s bats all nine innings to separate. With the way the lineup sets up today and the matchup against Avila/KC bullpen, I think full-game Nationals ML is my best shot.

That’s the angle I believe in, and that’s what I’m betting. I need a beer

@LVTruck

@LVTruck

Well said LVT! However, I believe Littell will give you a good 5 innings.

TIP

@undermysac

Thanks. Once I locked in on Washington, I didn’t revisit the Cubs at all, so I never really got a chance to dig into the weather.

Appreciate the heads-up

It’s a solo shot to the leadoff hitter…omg this is a tough racket 

Relax dude...they are gonna get into KC's bullpen which is worse than wash's. Wash is gonna hit. 

1 inning, 1 run, 2 hits, 0 walks, 18 pitche

Not ideal, but it’s not disaster territory

Now let Washington’s lineup get its first look at Avila 

At 2–0 Royals  the issue is not just the score it’s the combo

Littell has already given up 2 early
and
Avila looked clean in the 1st

at least you're not overreacting to every at bat though...

That was a big escape.

Through 2 innings:

Littell: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 K, 1 BB, 2 HR

Not pretty at all

Beat it rev

Avila through 2 innings

2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K, 0 BB
26 pitches
15 strikes / 11 balls

And the stuff looks liv

Fastball 97
Fastball usage 46%

Fk this game 

Recency bias?

@LVTruck

Most of his pitches are balls.  Garcia wasted a bad challenge in the 1st inning on the very first pitch.  This is why he’s ahead on the count against most Nats.  His pitches are lively but he’s definitely a much different pitcher when he’s behind the batters

I was kind of hoping Littell wouldn’t come back out for the 4th, but apparently Washington still has some confidence in him.

At this point, we just need him to get through this inning clean, then hope the Nats can grab a couple off Avila and eventually get into that Kansas City bullpen

Much appreciate your insights on this game time to look at Dodgers game. 
Dodger 1st 5 -.5 looks like a winner

@LVTruck

 We’ve seen much crazier LV

LVT anything else for today? 

Man I suck dodgers didn’t come in 

LV waiting on yours to come back 

@Lilofbitofhelp

 waiting for him. he is going to win the next one.

Hey, I like the Cubs today, but I’m already a little agitated with this spot. The weather looks ugly with thunderstorms in the area, and I’m not trying to force something that turns into a delay situation like the Braves last night. I’m looking to fire, but I’m not looking to step into a pile 

I’m obviously not laying big lumber here, so the only ways I’d consider the Cubs are first five or the -1.5. The issue is Colorado’s weakest link is really their bullpen, so first five may not fully capture the edge. At the same time, home-team run lines are never automatic, so I’m still working through it a little longer